Three Arrested for Car Theft in Oyo State

The Oyo State Police have arrested three men suspected of stealing cars. They recovered a stolen Hyundai Sonata in Ibadan, the capital of the state. This happened weeks after the police arrested two others linked to a different car theft group.

The recent arrests came after the police found a white Hyundai Sonata, registration number ABC 882 GK. This car was stolen from Shangisha, Magodo, Lagos, on September 13.

According to a statement from the police, signed by Police Public Relations Officer Ayanlade Olayinka, the stolen car was spotted around the Ojoo area of Ibadan. This led to a report being made to the Oyo Command on September 16.

After receiving the report, Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga ordered the Anti-Kidnapping Squad to find and recover the car.

"Using technology, intelligence-driven policing and coordinated operational efforts, the squad traced the vehicle to the Akinyele Area of Ibadan, where it was recovered," the statement said.

The police arrested three suspects: Abdulramon Hassan, 49; Abdullahi Sani, 43; and Sulaimon Adamu, 53. They were taken in for questioning about the stolen vehicle.

The police reported that the suspects admitted their involvement in the crime. They are also cooperating with investigations to find out more about the group behind the theft and other people involved.

This operation is happening less than a month after the Oyo Command arrested two suspected members of a different group. This group was allegedly trafficking stolen cars across Nigeria's borders to sell them abroad.

In that earlier case, the police recovered a 2017 Lexus RX 350 SUV. This car was reportedly stolen at gunpoint from a woman in Ilorin, Kwara State. The police arrested Adewale Abiola, 33, and Kabiru Abobarin, 36, in that incident.

The police said that preliminary questioning showed the two suspects received the Lexus from the gang that stole it in Ilorin. They were transporting it toward the border.

The police also mentioned that an ECOWAS document was needed to help move the car across the border for sale in another country.

The police said the arrests were part of an intelligence-led operation based on information from another suspect already in custody for armed robbery.

"Efforts are ongoing to catch other members of the group who are still on the run. The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the investigation be sped up and completed quickly. After that, the suspects and anyone else found guilty will be taken to court as the law requires," the police stated.