The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspects, including a 60-year-old man, Femi Ojo, over the alleged theft and resale of a Toyota Carina E in Ibadan.
The command said Ojo allegedly posed as a passenger before orchestrating the theft of the vehicle through an accomplice. The stolen car, bearing registration number GGE 488 CN, was later traced to Akure, Ondo State, where it had allegedly been resold, repainted and partially dismantled to conceal its identity.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the incident was reported at the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters on Friday, July 3, 2026, by the vehicle owner, 55-year-old Ruben Adebayo of Akobo, Ibadan.
According to the police, Adebayo had conveyed Ojo from Akobo to the Motor Spare Parts Market, Gate, Ibadan, after the suspect claimed he wanted to purchase a vehicle engine and other spare parts.
At the market, Ojo reportedly inspected several engines and bargained with traders before purchasing only a vehicle shaft. He later informed the driver that he had located another outlet where he could obtain a suitable engine.
The suspect allegedly left the market on a commercial motorcycle, instructing Adebayo to remain with the vehicle shaft. He subsequently called the driver and requested that the shaft be delivered to his new location through a commercial motorcycle rider, claiming it would be faster.
Believing the request, Adebayo parked and locked his Toyota Carina E before leaving to deliver the item. However, the police said Ojo had allegedly positioned an accomplice at the market to steal the vehicle once the driver left the scene.
When Adebayo arrived at the designated location, Ojo was nowhere to be found. On returning to where he had parked the vehicle, he discovered it had been stolen.
The police said detectives immediately launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of the principal suspect in Akure, Ondo State.
Investigations revealed that Ojo and his fleeing accomplice allegedly sold the vehicle for N700,000 to 49-year-old Kayode Afolabi, who subsequently resold it for N800,000 to another suspect, Olatunji Mutiu, also 49.
Both suspected receivers were arrested, while the stolen vehicle was recovered at the Motor Spare Parts Market, Oyarugbulem, Akure.
The command said the suspects had changed the vehicle’s original Oyo State commercial colour to green in a bid to conceal its identity. Detectives also discovered that the latest buyer had begun dismantling the vehicle by removing its engine and gearbox.
The removed components were recovered, and the vehicle has been towed to a secure police facility.
According to the police, Ojo and the two suspected receivers confessed to their roles during interrogation.
The command said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice and dismantle the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the operatives for the successful operation, describing it as a demonstration of the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against crime.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies to aid efforts at tackling criminal activities across the state.
