An unidentified man posing as a prospective buyer at a car dealership in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Ajah, Lagos, allegedly stole a Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The man requested the keys under the pretext of a test run.
He then activated the central locking system from inside the vehicle and sped away.
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The Brazen Suspect Steals Tundra incident began at the dealership premises within the gated residential estate. Staff handed over the keys in the ordinary course of a vehicle inspection.
The man immediately locked the doors to prevent any intervention and accelerated toward the estate exit.
He rammed the truck into the security barrier at the VGC entrance. The impact damaged the gate equipment and struck a security officer on duty.
The man continued driving toward the Chevron alternative route and the Lekki-Ajah corridor without an authorised access code.
During the escape the truck collided with several civilian vehicles and struck pedestrians, including dispatch riders. Some social media accounts claimed that four dispatch riders were killed.
These figures have not been independently confirmed by police or emergency agencies. Most reports describe injuries to several people and extensive damage along the busy route.
Residents and motorists attempted to halt the vehicle by placing tyres and stones on the road. The driver continued at speed.
The pursuit ended in Ajiran when the black Toyota Tundra plunged into a water-filled ditch.
The man abandoned the vehicle and tried to flee on foot through the swamp. Local residents, motorists and security personnel entered the water, retrieved him and handed him over to police officers.
Videos circulating online showed the damaged truck partly submerged and the moment the man was pulled from the water. Some footage appeared to show him being assaulted by bystanders before police took custody.
As of Tuesday, 13 October 2026, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the full circumstances, the precise number of casualties or whether formal charges had been preferred. The suspect’s identity remained unknown.
One social media account that first detailed the events stated that the man “lied he wanted to buy Tundra truck at VGC, immediately they gave him the key to test run, he put the Truck on centra locked and started running.” The account further described the damage to the estate security equipment and the subsequent collisions.
Vehicle thefts during test drives remain a known risk for dealerships in Lagos. Dispatch riders face particular vulnerability on the Lekki-Epe Expressway because of high traffic volumes and frequent close-quarter manoeuvres.
The absence of an immediate police statement has left key questions about the scale of injuries and the status of the investigation unresolved.
The recovered Toyota Tundra sustained significant damage.
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Dealership staff and estate security were left to assess both the financial loss and the physical harm caused during the brief but destructive flight. Further official clarification is expected once police complete their initial inquiries.
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Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
