Police foil attempt to smuggle stolen bus to Benin Republic, arrest two

Police in Nigeria's Ogun State have arrested two men attempting to smuggle a stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus into the Benin Republic. The suspects, identified as 46-year-old company driver Seun Lawal and his 38-year-old guarantor Ademola Oriyomi, were apprehended on June 12, 2026, following credible intelligence.

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Acting swiftly on the information, CSP Adejuwon Ariyo mobilised and led a surveillance team to the location, where operatives intercepted the suspects in the course of executing the cross-border movement.

Operatives from the Idiroko Division, led by CSP Adejuwon Ariyo, intercepted the suspects as they prepared to move the bus across the international border. In a swift tactical response, police shot one of the vehicle's tires to immobilize it, preventing its escape. The stolen bus was recovered at the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Lawal conspired with Oriyomi to steal the bus from Lagos and sell it in the Benin Republic. The suspects confessed that the proceeds from the sale were intended to facilitate their relocation. They are currently in custody as investigations continue to determine if they are linked to broader cross-border vehicle theft syndicates.

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In a decisive tactical response, the operatives demobilised the vehicle by shooting one of its tyres, effectively immobilising it and preventing its escape across the border.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, praised the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance. He reiterated the command's commitment to proactive policing and strengthened border security, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

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Preliminary investigation revealed that Seun Lawal, a driver, conspired with Ademola Oriyomi, his guarantor, to steal and sell the vehicle in the Benin Republic. The suspects admitted that the proceeds were intended to facilitate their relocation after the illegal transaction