The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged hijacking, diversion and theft of trucks in the state, with investigations indicating that the stolen vehicles are moved to criminal receivers in Kwara State.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday in Ibadan, disclosed that the arrests follow intelligence and information provided by members of the public indicating that the suspected syndicate was preparing to carry out another operation on August 24 at about 11 p.m.
Following the information, the Commissioner of Police directed operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit to commence an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The operation led to the interception of a white SINO HOWO truck and the arrest of two male suspects identified as Ojedokun, the motorboy attached to the truck driver, and his accomplice, Ismail.
Police said the truck had already had its bucket removed and was being driven towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin axis for onward delivery and sale to an alleged criminal receiver.
Ayanlade said preliminary investigation indicated that Ojedokun, the motorboy, allegedly masterminded the hijacking of the truck from his employer along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Following further investigation, police operatives reportedly traced and arrested two additional members of the suspected syndicate identified as Adekunle and a suspect known as “Music”.
The police spokesman said the investigation also revealed that “Music” allegedly specialised in removing vehicle trackers and other electronic devices used to identify and locate trucks.
According to the Command, the removal of the tracking equipment was intended to make it more difficult for security operatives and vehicle owners to trace the stolen trucks or recover them.
The police said the investigation remains ongoing as operatives work to recover the detached bucket of the intercepted truck and identify other members of the suspected syndicate who remain at large.
The Command said investigators are also working to establish the full extent of the suspects’ activities and determine whether other stolen vehicles are connected to the group.
Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga commended members of the public for providing timely and credible information that assisted the police in disrupting the suspected operation.
The Command urged residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains important in preventing robbery, vehicle hijacking and other criminal activities across the state.
The suspects are expected to remain in police custody as investigations continue, after which they may face prosecution in accordance with the law.
NAN
