Police arrest three suspected vehicle snatchers in Oyo, seize guns

The Oyo State Police Command says it has arrested three suspected armed robbers allegedly involved in a vehicle-snatching syndicate operating within Ibadan and its environs, following an intelligence-led operation by its operatives.

The command disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday, saying the suspects were apprehended after police received credible intelligence on June 20 regarding the activities of a group specialising in the theft of exotic vehicles from unsuspecting members of the public.

According to the statement, intelligence reports indicated that members of the syndicate were planning to converge around the Olorunsogo area of Ibadan ahead of intended robbery operations within and outside the state capital.

The police said the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, subsequently directed operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to act on the information and arrest those involved.

The operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Akinpelu Afeez, 39, also known as “Starboy”; Taiwo Adams, 45, popularly called “Adamson”; and Salawudeen Taofeeq, 35, alias “T.K.”

According to the command, the suspects confessed during interrogation to participating in multiple vehicle-snatching operations across Ibadan metropolis.

The statement said they also admitted to using locally fabricated firearms in carrying out their criminal activities.

Following the confessions, detectives reportedly obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspects’ hideout in the Aremo area of Ibadan.

During the search, police recovered “two locally made cut-to-size single-barrel guns and six live cartridges concealed within the premises,” the statement said.

The command noted that investigations were ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and dismantle the criminal network.

“Investigation is currently ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal syndicate, dismantle the network, and identify and arrest receivers and buyers of stolen vehicles and other proceeds of crime,” the statement added.

Reassuring residents of the command’s commitment to tackling crime, the police said efforts would continue to target violent criminals and their collaborators across the state.

“The Commissioner of Police reassures residents of Oyo State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating violent crimes and dismantling criminal networks operating within the State,” the statement read.

The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with useful information that could aid crime-fighting operations.

He further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely, credible, and actionable information that will aid ongoing crime-fighting efforts,” the statement said.

The police maintained that it remained committed to ensuring that “Oyo State remains unsafe for criminals and secure for all law-abiding citizens.”