How a smooth-talking suspect allegedly used a test drive to steal a ₦13.5 million vehicle in broad daylight
An Abuja-based car dealer has opened up about the nerve-wracking experience that left him counting losses after a suspected car thief allegedly drove off with his vehicle — all under the pretense of a simple test drive.
How It All Started
According to the dealer, everything seemed perfectly normal at first. The suspect approached him like any serious buyer would — calm, confident, and apparently ready to spend big money.
The man reportedly negotiated the price of the car down from ₦15 million to ₦13.5 million. Anyone who has ever bought or sold a car in Nigeria knows this kind of back-and-forth is completely standard. Nothing about the encounter raised any red flags — at least not yet.
Once they agreed on a price, the suspect did what any reasonable buyer would do next: he asked for a test drive.
The Moment Everything Went Wrong
This is where the story takes a painful turn.
What should have been a routine spin around the block to check the car’s condition quickly became every car dealer’s worst nightmare. The suspect allegedly got behind the wheel — and simply did not come back.
Just like that, a ₦13.5 million vehicle was gone.
For anyone familiar with the hustle of the Nigerian car market — the long hours, the negotiations, the investment — you already understand how devastating a moment like this can be. These are not just cars. They represent people’s livelihoods, their savings, and months — sometimes years — of hard work.
The Suspect Was Eventually Caught
Thankfully, the story did not end with the dealer crying into his agbada. Authorities eventually tracked down and arrested the suspect, bringing some measure of relief to the victim.
The details of how the arrest was made are still emerging, but the dealer has since spoken out — partly to share his experience and partly, one imagines, to warn fellow traders across the country.
A Warning for Car Dealers Everywhere
This incident is a sharp reminder for anyone in the second-hand car business — whether you operate on Berger in Lagos*, around **Wuse Market in Abuja**, or on *Uselu Road in Benin City — that not every well-dressed, well-spoken person walking into your lot is actually there to buy.
Here are a few lessons the Nigerian car dealing community can take from this story:
– Never allow a test drive without collecting valid ID — a driver’s licence, National ID, or international passport
– Always have someone accompany the buyer during a test drive — no exceptions
– Install GPS trackers in your vehicles, especially high-value ones
– Trust your instincts — if something feels off about a buyer, it probably is
– Take photos of the buyer and their documents before handing over any keys
The Bigger Picture
Car theft remains a serious problem across Nigeria, and con artists are becoming increasingly bold and sophisticated in their methods. The fact that this suspect allegedly spent time negotiating a price before making his move shows a level of calculation that should put every dealer on alert.
As the saying goes: “Not all that glitters is gold” — and in the car market, not every sharp negotiator is a genuine buyer.
We wish the dealer a full recovery from this ordeal and hope that justice is fully served in this case.
Have you or someone you know experienced something similar? Share your story in the comments below and let’s keep our business community informed and protected.
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