Three arrested over stolen vehicle in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended three individuals, including a 60-year-old man, for their alleged involvement in the theft and resale of a vehicle in Ibadan. The principal suspect, Femi Ojo, 60, was arrested in Akure, Ondo State, along with accomplices Kayode Afolabi, 49, and Olatunji Mutiu, 49. Investigations indicate that Ojo sold the stolen Toyota Carina E for 700,000 Nigerian naira to Afolabi, who then resold it for 800,000 naira to Mutiu.

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The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another 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 police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, detailed the modus operandi, explaining that Ojo posed as a buyer interested in vehicle parts to gain the complainant's trust. After inspecting engine parts, Ojo directed the complainant to another location to purchase a different engine, instructing him to leave the vehicle behind. While the complainant was away, an accomplice, still at large, allegedly stole the car. The victim reported the theft after returning to find his vehicle missing.

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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.

The police have hailed the arrests as a breakthrough in their campaign against vehicle theft. The stolen vehicle was recovered in Akure, bringing the case closer to resolution.

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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.