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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has busted a suspected truck-hijacking syndicate and arrested four members of the gang allegedly involved in the hijacking, diversion and theft of trucks in the state and neighbouring states.
The suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence and information from members of the public that the syndicate was planning to operate along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on August 24, 2026. Acting on the information, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to mount an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the expressway.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the operation led to the interception of a white SINO HOWO truck and the arrest of two suspects identified as Ojedokun Olakunle Isaac, a motor boy attached to the truck driver, and his accomplice, Ajuwon Ismail.
The police said the truck had already had its back body, popularly known as the bucket, removed and was being driven towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin axis for onward delivery and sale to an alleged criminal receiver in Kwara State.
During interrogation, Ojedokun reportedly confessed to masterminding the hijacking of the truck from his employer along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
His confession, according to the police, provided vital leads that enabled operatives to track down and arrest two other members of the syndicate, identified as Adekunle Sunday and Rasheed Music.
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Investigations reportedly revealed that Sunday served as the gang’s designated driver during truck hijackings, while Music specialised in removing vehicle trackers and other electronic devices used by owners and security agencies to identify and locate stolen trucks.
The command said the syndicate carried out the operation at about 11:00 p.m. on August 24, when the truck was allegedly hijacked and diverted towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin axis for onward sale.
However, the police intervention disrupted the operation and led to the recovery of the stolen vehicle before it could be delivered to the alleged receiver.
The command said efforts were ongoing to recover the detached back body of the truck and apprehend other members of the syndicate who are still at large.
Commending members of the public for providing timely and credible information that led to the breakthrough, CP Olugbenga reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the sustained dismantling of criminal networks across Oyo State.
He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained crucial to preventing crime and enhancing safety and security across the state.
