Police recover stolen vehicle in Oyo, arrest three

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 60-year-old man and two others in connection with the theft of a vehicle in Ibadan, the state capital.

A statement issued on Saturday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the principal suspect, Femi Ojo, 60, was arrested alongside his accomplices, Kayode Afolabi, 49, and Olatunji Mutiu, 49, in Akure, Ondo State, where the stolen vehicle was traced.

Ayanlade said investigations revealed that Ojo, acting in concert with an accomplice still at large, sold the stolen vehicle for N700,000 to Afolabi, who subsequently resold it for N800,000 to Mutiu.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained campaign against vehicle theft and other organised crimes with the successful recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of three suspects linked to the criminal enterprise.

“The breakthrough followed a report lodged at the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters on Friday, July 3, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., by one Ruben Adebayo, a 55-year-old resident of Akobo, Ibadan, who reported that his Toyota Carina E, bearing registration number GGE 488 CN, had been fraudulently stolen by a passenger he conveyed from Akobo to the Motor Spare Parts Market, Gate, Ibadan.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the principal suspect, Ojo, engaged the complainant under the guise of purchasing a vehicle engine and other spare parts.

“Upon arrival at the market, the suspect inspected various engine options and negotiated prices with traders.

“Although negotiations for the engine proved unsuccessful, he purchased a vehicle shaft and informed the complainant that he had identified another location where a suitable engine could be obtained.

“He then boarded a commercial motorcycle to the new location, directing the complainant to remain at the market with the purchased vehicle shaft pending further instructions.

“In furtherance of the criminal scheme, the suspect later telephoned the complainant and requested that he deliver the purchased vehicle shaft to the new location through a commercial motorcycle rider, explaining that doing so would be faster and more convenient.

“Trusting the suspect’s explanation, the complainant securely parked and locked his vehicle before proceeding with the assignment.

“Unknown to him, the suspect had strategically positioned an accomplice, who is currently at large, at the Motor Spare Parts Market to steal the vehicle during his absence.”

Related News Number plates: Police impound 120 vehicles in Ogun, Delta

Police arrest 89 over number plate violations in Ogun

US police arrest man for attacking homeless, PWDs with water gun

The police spokesperson explained that when the complainant arrived at the designated location, the suspect had disappeared.

Ayanlade said the complainant immediately returned to where he had parked his vehicle, only to discover that it had been stolen.

He said that upon receipt of the report and armed with these facts, detectives of the command immediately commenced an intelligence-led investigation, deploying both technical and operational resources that culminated in the arrest of the principal suspect, Femi Ojo, in Akure, Ondo State.

“The investigation further revealed that Ojo, acting in concert with his fleeing accomplice, sold the stolen vehicle for N700,000 to Kayode Afolabi, 49, who subsequently resold it for N800,000 to Olatunji Mutiu, 49.

“Building on this breakthrough, investigators extended the operation, leading to the arrest of Afolabi and Mutiu, as well as the recovery of the stolen vehicle at the Motor Spare Parts Market, Oyarugbulem, Akure.

“Further examination revealed that, in a calculated attempt to conceal the vehicle’s identity, its original Oyo State commercial colour had been changed to green. Additionally, the latest receiver had commenced cannibalising the vehicle by removing its engine and gearbox,” the spokesperson said.

Ayanlade added that the removed components had also been recovered, while the vehicle had been towed to a secure police facility pending the conclusion of investigations.

He said Ojo, alongside the two suspected receivers, confessed to their respective roles in the crime.

The spokesperson added that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice and dismantle the remaining members of the criminal network.

Commending the success of the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, applauded the operatives for their diligence, professionalism and resilience, describing the feat as another testament to the command’s intelligence-driven policing strategy and unwavering resolve to rid Oyo State of criminal elements.

The commissioner reassured residents that the command remained committed to its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring them that all actionable intelligence would be professionally acted upon to enhance the safety and security of residents.