A Nigerian man has taken to social media to make a heartfelt and public appeal to an unidentified thief who stole a costly component from his car. The incident, which highlights the financial pain and vulnerability associated with such crimes, has resonated with many online.
A Costly Discovery After Theft
The victim, who uses the X (formerly Twitter) handle @thebeardedsina, shared his frustrating experience. He disclosed that the side mirror of his Lexus RX 350 was stolen. Hoping for a quick fix, he went to check the price of a replacement, only to be hit with a staggering quote.
The cost to replace the single side mirror was about N250,000, a sum he described as overwhelmingly expensive. This shocking figure prompted his direct online appeal to the perpetrator's conscience.
Public Plea to the Unknown Thief
In a now-viral post on the X platform, the aggrieved car owner addressed the thief directly. His message was a mix of desperation and a plea for humanity, foregoing threats for a simple request for return.
"Please if you are the one that stole a Lexus RX 350 Side mirror today. Please can you return it? They said it cost 250k to replace the mirror. Please return the side mirror," he tweeted.
The post, made on January 8, 2026, quickly captured the attention of the Nigerian online community, sparking widespread sympathy and a flurry of reactions.
Nigerians React with Sympathy and Warnings
The viral plea drew numerous responses from netizens who could relate to the victim's plight. Many joined in appealing to the thief, while others used the opportunity to share their own experiences and offer cautionary advice about vehicle security.
User Khan commented on the hidden burdens of car ownership, saying: "Chai. Person weh no get car no know wetin God do for am."
Big Dee echoed the plea for return, noting the economic climate: "Please return the mirror to doc. 250k in this economy is not change."
Several comments turned into a discussion on preventive measures. Whitfield stated a strict personal policy: "Na why I no dey park my car outside, if I visit u and u no get where I go park inside your compound, you go need to come outside make we see outside."
Another user, Uche, shared a personal anecdote about choosing to take a bike rather than risk parking his car on the roadside, emphasizing extreme caution.
The technical audacity of the theft also raised questions. User Adedotun wondered: "Wait! How did they take out the side mirror? They had all that time to dismantle a car component without any opposition...?"
Abimbola offered a grim reality check, recounting how a fog light was stolen from his car within 20 minutes of parking, concluding that "Guys are not smiling."
The reactions paint a clear picture of a society where such thefts are common, forcing car owners into a state of constant vigilance. The high value of specific car parts, like the Lexus side mirror, makes them prime targets for thieves who are well-aware of their market worth, as pointed out by user Miccoli.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the economic pressures that fuel such crimes and the significant financial impact they have on victims, extending beyond mere inconvenience to a substantial monetary loss.
