A Lagos car dealer, Chima Edmund, has expressed frustration after alleging that police released a man suspected of attempting to steal a ₦130 million Toyota Tundra from his showroom in Lekki, leaving him with an estimated ₦40 million repair bill.
Edmund, founder of Mayor and Sheiks Autos, said the suspect allegedly posed as a prospective buyer on Monday, October 12, 2026, before driving the 2025 Toyota Tundra away from his dealership in Victoria Garden City (VGC).
According to the dealer, the suspect allegedly crashed the pickup into a canal in the Ajiran area while attempting to escape, damaging the vehicle and a security barricade. Edmund said he also incurred expenses covering repairs, medical treatment and other costs connected to the incident.
He alleged that he became concerned after learning that the suspect had been released on bail and claimed he was pressured to withdraw the complaint after investigators reportedly discovered that the man had a psychiatric condition.
However, the Lagos State Police Command denied improperly releasing the suspect. Its spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect had been certified as a psychiatric patient by recognised government hospitals and competent courts. She further claimed that Edmund had submitted a letter withdrawing the complaint before the suspect was handed over to his mother for rehabilitation.
The police claims could not be independently verified, as the spokesperson reportedly did not provide the requested documents supporting the medical certification and withdrawal of the complaint.
Edmund has appealed for assistance in recovering his losses, saying the incident has left him facing an estimated ₦40 million bill to repair the damaged vehicle.