Lagos Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Stealing Uber Car with Pepper Soup Trick

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man accused of stealing an Uber car by luring the driver with a plate of pepper soup.

SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Hundeyin reported that the Akinpelu Police Division received a complaint on July 5, at around 8:00 p.m., from an unnamed Uber driver. According to the driver, he picked up a passenger named Isaiah from the NNPC Filling Station in Maryland, in his Toyota Corolla, and drove him to a hotel in the Oshodi area.

At the hotel, the suspect bought the driver a plate of pepper soup and an energy drink. During the meal, Isaiah asked for a cotton bud to clean his ear. The driver handed over his car key for Isaiah to use.

The driver explained that Isaiah went downstairs with the car key and drove away with the car from where it was parked. Fortunately, a team of police officers conducting a stop-and-search operation on Boladale Street intercepted the suspect.

When Isaiah could not provide a satisfactory explanation for owning the car, he was arrested. While the police officers were preparing to take the suspect to the station, the Uber driver arrived at the scene and identified his car.

The suspect is now detained for further investigation.