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The Oyo State Police Command has recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested three suspects linked to an alleged vehicle theft syndicate following an intelligence-led operation that extended into Ondo State.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Oluseyi Olayinka.
According to the police, the breakthrough followed a complaint lodged at the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3 by a 55-year-old resident of Akobo, Ibadan, Mr Ruben Adebayo, who reported that his Toyota Carina E with registration number GGE 488 CN had been stolen after he unknowingly fell victim to a carefully orchestrated scheme.
Police said the principal suspect, identified as 60-year-old Femi Ojo, allegedly hired the complainant to convey him from Akobo to the Motor Spare Parts Market, Gate, Ibadan, under the pretext of purchasing a vehicle engine and spare parts.
After inspecting engines and buying a vehicle shaft, the suspect reportedly claimed he had located another engine elsewhere and left on a commercial motorcycle, instructing the vehicle owner to remain at the market.
Investigators said Ojo later called the complainant and persuaded him to send the purchased shaft through a commercial motorcyclist, assuring him it would be faster. Believing the request was genuine, the complainant parked and locked his vehicle before leaving.
However, police said an accomplice, who remains at large, allegedly stole the vehicle from where it had been parked while the complainant was away. On returning, the victim discovered both the suspect and his vehicle had disappeared.
Acting on the report, detectives launched an intelligence-driven investigation that led to the arrest of the principal suspect in Akure, Ondo State.
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Further investigations revealed that Ojo and his fleeing accomplice allegedly sold the stolen vehicle for ₦700,000 to one Kayode Afolabi, 49, who later resold it for ₦800,000 to another suspect, Olatunji Mutiu, also aged 49.
The police subsequently arrested Afolabi and Mutiu and recovered the stolen vehicle at the Motor Spare Parts Market, Oyarugbulem, Akure.
According to the command, the suspects had attempted to conceal the vehicle’s identity by changing its original Oyo State commercial colour to green. Investigators also discovered that the latest buyer had begun dismantling the vehicle by removing its engine and gearbox.
The removed components were recovered, while the vehicle has been towed to a secure police facility pending the conclusion of investigations.
Police said the three suspects confessed to their respective roles during interrogation and would be charged in court after investigations are concluded, while efforts continue to arrest the fleeing accomplice and dismantle the remaining members of the criminal network.
Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, described the operation as another demonstration of the command’s intelligence-driven policing strategy and determination to combat organised crime.
He also reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist law enforcement agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.
