Seven suspected car thieves arrested in Oyo and Abuja

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested seven people suspected of being part of different gangs involved in armed robbery, car theft, and truck hijacking in Abuja and Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro reported this from statements made by Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, and Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, on Sunday.

In Abuja, Iniedu said the arrests happened during coordinated operations between August 14 and August 19, 2026.

He named the suspects as Ahmed Saidu, also known as Diamond M, Alex Gabriel, called Junior M, and Ahmed Mahudu, who also goes by Diamond M. They were arrested after police received reliable tips about their gang's activities.

The FPRO mentioned that these suspects are connected to various armed robbery cases where vehicles were stolen at gunpoint. They allegedly confessed to their crimes and named Yakubu Yewa, known as Y/Come, as the main leader of their gang.

Iniedu noted that Yewa is currently in Kuje Correctional Centre facing trial for armed robbery. "The investigation revealed that the suspected kingpin allegedly coordinated and directed the syndicate’s robbery operations and the disposal of stolen vehicles within and outside Nigeria," the statement said.

He added that two vehicles were recovered during the operations. The recovered vehicles include a red Toyota Corolla and an army-green Volkswagen Golf 3.

"The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to dismantling criminal networks, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice," the statement concluded.

In Oyo, Ayanlade said police arrested four suspected members of a gang involved in armed robbery and truck hijacking. They also recovered a stolen SINO HOWO truck.

These suspects were caught after police received actionable intelligence and tips from the public about the gang's planned operation on August 24, 2026.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, instructed the Violent Crime Response Unit to carry out a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The operatives intercepted a white SINO HOWO truck and arrested two suspects: Ojedokun Olakunle Isaac, who was the motor boy for the truck driver, and Ajuwon Ismail, his alleged partner in crime. The truck had its back body, or bucket, removed and was heading towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin area for delivery to a suspected receiver.

"During interrogation, Ojedokun Olakunle Isaac confessed to masterminding the hijacking of the truck from his master along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway," the statement said.

The police reported that his confession led to the tracking and arrest of two other suspects, Adekunle Sunday and Rasheed Music. According to the police, Sunday acted as the designated driver for the gang, transporting stolen trucks to criminal receivers.

Further investigation revealed that the truck was hijacked on August 24 around 11 pm and was diverted towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin area for sale. The police said that the intervention of the VCRU operatives disrupted the gang's plan and helped recover the truck.

The command is still working to recover the detached back body of the truck and catch other gang members who are still free. Olugbenga praised the public for their quick and reliable information that helped make the operation successful.