₦airaland Forum

Had a very ugly experience yesterday at Wuye ultra modern market yesterday. I was really in a hurry and wanted to get an item from speedaf office in the market.

Since the office was just at the entrance, I decided to park my 2005 corolla sport just before the gate and rushed inside to get the item. I spent less than three minutes there and when I rushed back to my car, and press the unlock button, the lights just flashed but no sound as it normally behaved.

At first, I thought I didn't lock the car, I opened the door, but curiously closed it and locked the car again to see if the lock sound happened but nope, no lock sound. Instead, I heard a continuous click sound by the drivers side and after close examination, I noticed that the key was twisted in the unlock position and didn't return to the lock position. I used the key to return it and noticed it was hard to do so. But I was relieved that the car now locks and the with the normal lock sound.

However, on assuming the drivers seat, I noticed that my bag in the rear seat was gone. Ha! I was mad with rage. Under 5 minutes?

I reported the incident to the nearby police station and they told me to thank God that the car wasn't stolen

Still nursing the wound of loosing my bag with my MacBook pro M4 and all of its accessories, magic mouse and headphones.

I have dumped the corolla at home now, using my RX for now.

Is there anything I can do to harden the corolla security?

I plan on buying foot lockers but I doubt if that will add any security to the car. Kindly recommend anything that can really incease security of the car, especially entry security.

Note, the bag wasn't visible, the car has strong tint and the bag was in the back seat

.

Apologize:
Sorry about the incident sir and your lost items i really hope they can be recovered. i'm actually here in a situation almost as yours, im really having a rough week. kindly assist with whatsover you can as it would really help me go thru the remaining days of this week.
1k 2k anything at all, i sincerly hope you're moved to render assistance. Goodmorning, 2199430130 UBA Michael

Is that all? Beg again.mtcheww

Apologize:
Sorry about the incident sir and your lost items i really hope they can be recovered. i'm actually here in a situation almost as yours, im really having a rough week. kindly assist with whatsover you can as it would really help me go thru the remaining days of this week.
1k 2k anything at all, i sincerly hope you're moved to render assistance. Goodmorning, 2199430130 UBA Michael

Na wa oo. Shame.....

Just like the police said, you're lucky they didn't steal the car. That's why my car is tinted and I don't leave anything on the back seat that is visible to those outside. I always drop any valuable on the rear floor.

They have broken my neighbour's fully tinted RX 330 glass to steal his laptop from the back seat at omega plaza wuse 2. He went to H-medix to pick up some few items and didn't spend up to 10mins. The rule is to put all your valuables in the booth. The incident happened in 2018

Port443:
Had a very ugly experience yesterday at Wuye ultra modern market yesterday. I was really in a hurry and wanted to get an item from speedaf office in the market.

Since the office was just at the entrance, I decided to park my 2005 corolla sport just before the gate and rushed inside to get the item. I spent less than three minutes there and when I rushed back to my car, and press the unlock button, the lights just flashed but no sound as it normally behaved.

At first, I thought I didn't lock the car, I opened the door, but curiously closed it and locked the car again to see if the lock sound happened but nope, no lock sound. Instead, I heard a continuous click sound by the drivers side and after close examination, I noticed that the key was twisted in the unlock position and didn't return to the lock position. I used the key to return it and noticed it was hard to do so. But I was relieved that the car now locks and the with the normal lock sound.

However, on assuming the drivers seat, I noticed that my bag in the rear seat was gone. Ha! I was mad with rage. Under 5 minutes?

I reported the incident to the nearby police station and they told me to thank God that the car wasn't stolen

Still nursing the wound of loosing my bag with my MacBook pro M4 and all of its accessories, magic mouse and headphones.

I have dumped the corolla at home now, using my RX for now.

Is there anything I can do to harden the corolla security?

I plan on buying foot lockers but I doubt if that will add any security to the car. Kindly recommend anything that can really incease security of the car, especially entry security.

Note, the bag wasn't visible, the car has strong tint and the bag was in the back seat

Install that alarm system that makes noise on the car..
Before criminals rob a car..they hit it first to know if it will sing the alarm song...
When it does..they leave the car ..

Dozieson:
The rule is to put all your valuables in the booth.

💯

Dozieson:
They have broken my neighbour's fully tinted RX 330 glass to steal his laptop from the back seat at omega plaza wuse 2. He went to H-medix to pick up some few items and didn't spend up to 10mins. The rule is to put all your valuables in the booth. The incident happened in 2018

Ok, this is noted, however, the bag wasn't visible and my car was tinted

A 20 year old car. Technology has quadrupled since then and lots of security protocols declassified. I would suggest steering locks and a tracker however.

captainking:
Install that alarm system that makes noise on the car..
Before criminals rob a car..they hit it first to know if it will sing the alarm song...
When it does..they leave the car ..

The car came with that alarm, if you as much as shake the car, the alarm will trigger. But it didn't in this case

Normally most corolla no get security na why dem dy always steal am

Normally corolla no get security na why dem dy always steal am

If the ultra modern market has a CCTV footage of the criminal, you stand a chance of getting it back.

If u ride one of these punk ass noisy corolla, esp the 4plugs.u need all of your things in the car,on u 24/7...u need a pedal lock brainbox lock,infact all the locks ubcan think off. It's not worth it. Get an acura instead

I think a mechanic/panelbeater worked on your door lock instead of a locksmith,thereby making the lock vulnerable.

The policemen were right when you asked to thank God the car wasn’t stolen. In all honesty, when I opened the thread, I thought the car has been stolen.

God will replenish the valuables lost.

Bless up!

50JBL:
I think a mechanic/panelbeater worked on your door lock instead of a locksmith,thereby making the lock vulnerable.

Nope, it was factory fitted key. Is there key that I can put that is more difficult to break into?

Carcourt:
The policemen were right when you asked to thank God the car wasn’t stolen. In all honesty, when I opened the thread, I thought the car has been stolen.

God will replenish the valuables lost.

Bless up!

Thanks buddy

2cribz:
If u ride one of these punk ass noisy corolla, esp the 4plugs.u need all of your things in the car,on u 24/7...u need a pedal lock brainbox lock,infact all the locks ubcan think off. It's not worth it. Get an acura instead

You're right. Acura get mad security. A friend is using one of their salon car but the guy dey complain say him fuel dey quick disappear what did he expect when salon car dey use rim 17 tyres

Port443:
Nope, it was factory fitted key. Is there key that I can put that is more difficult to break into?

I mean the factory fitted key may have been tempered by a panel beater or mechanic.take the car to a locksmith the key would be repaired.

50JBL:
I mean the factory fitted key may have been tempered by a panel beater or mechanic.take the car to a locksmith the key would be repaired.

Alright, thank you

Whois:
You're right. Acura get mad security. A friend is using one of their salon car but the guy dey complain say him fuel dey quick disappear what did he expect when salon car dey use rim 17 tyres

Does rim size affect fuel consumption?
Hearing this for the first time.

vivalavida:
Does rim size affect fuel consumption?
Hearing this for the first time.

It does, why does corolla, Keke, korepe have small tire in common

It has no effect.stip misleading people. What does. Is tyre underflating, wrong alignment, shoet trips with AC,hard acceleration,catalyst has nobmuch effect on gas,bad spark plugs,bad coils, exhaust leak,hard acceleration on gear 1 to gear 3,..rims and tyre size is nothing.

Whois:
It does, why does corolla, Keke, korepe have small tire in common

vivalavida:
Does rim size affect fuel consumption?
Hearing this for the first time.

Rim size affect fuel economy. This is because with change in size comes change in weight, unsprung weight affects fuel economy. You don't expect car that rolls 4 tires that initially weighs 50kg to take the same fuel as tire that now weighs 30kg or 70kg. Secondly, air resistance, the wider the tire, the more the air resistance. This also greatly affects the driving dynamics like handling, acceleration, breaking and cornering.

The smaller the tyre, the faster it can complete 360 is enough to convince and not to confuse anyone that small tyres save fuel.

Whois:
The smaller the tyre, the faster it can complete 360 is enough to convince and not to confuse anyone that small tyres save fuel.

Wider diameter = greater distance covered per revolution

So using quarter fuel to go a quarter of the distance is not something one would use to judge fuel economy

vivalavida:
Does rim size affect fuel consumption?
Hearing this for the first time.

yes it does,the honda babyboy used 4 years ago had rim 17,and it consumed more fuel than my friend babyboy that used rim 15.my car was higher and more sexy,chop fuel,more than my friends low car

I'm really sorry to hear about this experience — that's incredibly frustrating, especially knowing it happened in such a short window of time. Losing your MacBook M4 and all those accessories is a major hit, and the fact that someone was skilled enough to manipulate your lock mechanism that quickly is honestly concerning.
A few suggestions that might help harden your Corolla's security:
Immediate steps:

Get the door lock actuators and mechanism inspected ASAP — the fact that they could manipulate it so easily suggests there may be a known vulnerability with that model year
Consider installing an aftermarket alarm system with shock sensors and door/hood sensors
Add a kill switch hidden somewhere only you know — makes it much harder to drive off even if they bypass the locks
Install a steering wheel lock (yes, old school, but it's a visible deterrent)

Tech upgrades:

GPS tracker (hidden, hardwired) — won't prevent theft but helps recovery
Dash cam with parking mode that records when motion is detected around the car
Consider upgrading to electronic/deadbolt-style locks if compatible

Practical habits:

Never leave valuables in the car, even hidden — these guys clearly stake out spots and work fast
If you must, keep items in the trunk before you arrive at your destination

Foot lockers might help for items stored there, but won't stop entry. The real issue is hardening the entry points and adding deterrents.
Also, I'd report the specific modus operandi to Speedaf and the market management — they should be aware that their entrance is being actively targeted. This sounds like an organized operation.
Stay safe out there, and hopefully the police follow through even though recovery seems unlikely.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you have recovered it