Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested five suspects over the alleged theft and dismantling of a stolen trailer, uncovering what police described as a syndicate specialising in stripping stolen trailers and selling their parts.
The suspects were identified as Temitope Omotayo Odulaja, 47; Segun Suleiman, 27; Haruna Olaogun, 49; Jimoh Wasiu, 42; and Quazzim Suleiman, 49.
They were arrested by detectives attached to the Ifo Divisional Headquarters over alleged conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the arrests followed a complaint by the trailer’s owner, who reported that his driver had disappeared with the vehicle on June 6, 2026.
According to him, the owner made unsuccessful efforts to trace the driver and recover the trailer before reporting the matter to the police.
Babaseyi said detectives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, launched an intelligence-led investigation and deployed technical resources to track the fleeing driver.
He said the operation yielded results on July 24 when detectives traced and arrested Odulaja in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly provided information that led investigators to other members of the suspected criminal network, resulting in their arrest.
The police said investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement and recover additional stolen property.
The following day, police operatives extended the operation to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where four additional suspects were arrested at different locations for their alleged involvement in the theft and dismantling of the trailer.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the trailer had allegedly been dismantled shortly after it was stolen, with its components disposed of through the suspected syndicate.
Police said parts of the stolen trailer, including the trailer head, have been recovered, while photographs of the dismantled vehicle have been documented as exhibits.
The Command added that efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining parts of the trailer, identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, and establish the full scope of its activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives for what he described as their professionalism and intelligence-driven approach, noting that the operation represents a major breakthrough in the fight against organized vehicle theft.
Ojajuni said the arrest of the fleeing driver and his alleged accomplices, as well as the recovery of parts of the stolen trailer, demonstrate the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks operating within the state.
He urged transport operators, fleet owners, logistics companies and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the police, assuring residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led operations to protect lives and property.
Police said investigations are ongoing and that all suspects found culpable will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Source: The Nation News
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