A Lagos resident is recovering in hospital after allegedly being drugged by two suspects who police say attempted to steal his vehicle from a residential estate in the city’s upscale Ikoyi area.
The incident occurred on June 12 at Ivory Manor Apartments on 12th Street, where security personnel foiled what authorities are investigating as an attempted vehicle theft involving the resident, Mr. Tunji Kazeem’s newly acquired Toyota Land Cruiser 600.
According to an incident report obtained by this publication, the estate’s security guard became suspicious when two men attempted to remove the vehicle from the premises, claiming they had been instructed by the owner, Mr. Tunji Kazeem, to pick up his sister from the airport.
The men were identified as Matthew Akinkpa, who had reportedly been employed as Mr. Kazeem’s chef about a week before the incident, and Joseph Hounza.
Security personnel requested to speak directly with the vehicle owner before granting access. Although one of the suspects allegedly handed a phone to the guard and claimed Mr. Kazeem was on the line, the guard reportedly doubted the authenticity of the voice and refused to release the vehicle.
Swift Response
The estate’s patrol team was subsequently alerted and arrived at the scene to verify the claim. When the suspects were unable to facilitate direct communication with the resident, security officers proceeded to his apartment.
Mr. Kazeem was reportedly discovered unconscious on the floor of his room. Efforts to wake him were unsuccessful, prompting security personnel to immediately raise an alarm and seek medical assistance.
The suspects were prevented from leaving the estate and placed under observation pending the arrival of additional security personnel and law enforcement authorities.
The resident was later transported to First Cardiology Consultants Hospital for emergency treatment.
According to the incident report, both suspects allegedly admitted during questioning that a substance had been added to a shawarma meal consumed by Mr. Kazeem prior to the incident. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the nature of any substance allegedly administered, and medical examinations are ongoing.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to officers at Ikoyi Police Station, where investigations continue.
A follow-up investigation conducted on June 13 reportedly revealed that the suspects may have devised a plan to gain unauthorized access to the resident’s apartment. Investigators are examining claims that one suspect allegedly impersonated the resident’s chef in order to gain entry after authorization had been granted by the homeowner.
During a hospital visit by investigators, Mr. Kazeem, who had regained consciousness, reportedly told police and family members that he recalled eating a shawarma prepared by his chef on the evening of the incident. He said the meal tasted unusually salty and contained excessive ingredients.
According to the report, he began feeling weak and dizzy shortly afterward, experienced blurred vision, and remembered nothing else until waking up in hospital.
Police have not announced any charges at this stage, and the exact cause of Mr. Kazeem’s medical condition remains under investigation pending the outcome of toxicology and medical examinations.
The incident has drawn attention to the role played by estate security personnel, whose insistence on direct verification reportedly prevented the vehicle from leaving the premises and led to the discovery of the resident’s condition.
Authorities say investigations remain ongoing while the two suspects continue to be held in police custody.
