Oyo State Police Arrest Multiple Suspects in Telecom Theft and Vehicle‑Snatching Raids

The Oyo State Police Command announced the arrest of four suspects accused of stealing telecommunications infrastructure. During a routine stop‑and‑search on June 20, officers intercepted the men in an ash‑coloured Toyota Sienna carrying four hybrid solar batteries valued at about ₦8 million, allegedly taken from a telecom facility in Offa, Kwara State. The suspects, identified as Jimoh Mufutau (35), Saheed Akanbi (34), Lateef Ibrahim (37) and Lukman Jimoh (38), confessed to the theft and the equipment was recovered as police evidence.

In a separate intelligence‑led operation on the same day, the command's Violent Crime Response Unit detained three alleged vehicle‑snatchers operating in Ibadan and surrounding areas. The arrested men – Akinpelu Afeez (39), Taiwo Adams (45) and Salawudeen Taofeeq (35) – admitted to multiple exotic‑car thefts and were found with two locally made single‑barrel firearms and six live cartridges. Police are continuing investigations to dismantle both criminal networks and apprehend additional members.