Meshach Isinugo, also known as Big Shark, a 25-year-old suspect arrested for car theft, has denied the allegations of stealing a Mercedes Benz from a car dealer. He claims that he only drove the car from Abuja to Delta State.
The car dealer, Mohammed Manga, reported that a customer named Henry absconded with one of his cars, a Mercedes Benz GLB 250 worth over N55 million, during a test drive in Abuja.
Big Shark stated that he decided to use the car temporarily when the dealer, who was sitting in the passenger seat during the test drive, didn’t return quickly after stepping out for cash withdrawal to buy fuel at a filling station. He mentioned that he saw the opportunity and drove the car to Delta State, where he resides.
The state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, confirmed that a complaint was received from another car dealer in Abuja, identified as Rilwan. The dealer reported that Big Shark, disguised as an intending buyer, stole a 2021 model Mercedes Benz saloon car from his car stand during a test drive on June 30.
Based on intelligence gathered, the police’s CP Decoy Squad located the vehicle abandoned in a bush along Oteri Road, Ughelli North Local Government Area in Delta State.
Big Shark provided some background information, stating that his nickname “Big Shark” was a childhood nickname he grew up with. He claimed to be involved in foreign exchange and bureau de change business, which he started when he was seven years old and continued during his secondary school years. He mentioned operating his business at Istanbul Airport in Turkey and shuttling between there and Nigeria. He returned from Istanbul in May after the general elections.
The suspect explained that he didn’t steal the car but admitted it was not his. He found the car owner’s contact information on an online platform where the car was advertised for sale. Upon expressing interest, the owner invited him for a car inspection in Garki, Abuja. During the test drive, the owner asked him to wait at a filling station to buy fuel but never returned. Big Shark tried contacting him but couldn’t reach him and eventually drove the car to his residence.
The next day, the car owner labeled him as a car thief online, and he received a call from the owner informing him that the police were tracking the car. Upset by the situation, he switched off his known phone line and started using another one.
When his uncle saw him with the car, he confronted him and threatened to report the situation to the police. Fearing the consequences, Big Shark fled and was later arrested in Benin, Edo State.
Meshach Isinugo, aka Big Shark, denies stealing the car and claims that he only drove it from Abuja to Delta State. The police have transferred him to Abuja, where the alleged car theft occurred.
