Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Police Command has dismantled a transnational criminal network involved in the trafficking of stolen exotic vehicles across Nigeria's borders, arresting two suspects and recovering a Lexus RX 350 SUV along with other valuables during a high-stakes intelligence-led operation along the Ibadan–Ilorin Expressway. The suspects, identified as Adewale Abiola, 33, and Kabiru Abobarin, 36, also known as "KB," were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following a coordinated effort between the Oyo and Kwara State Police Commands.
The operation began when a suspect already in police custody over an armed robbery case, in which about 10 victims had come forward, disclosed his knowledge of a criminal gang specialising in receiving and conveying stolen vehicles to foreign countries. The police allowed the suspect to operate his mobile phone under controlled circumstances, during which members of the syndicate sent him photographs of a vehicle they were about to steal and instructed him to make arrangements for its reception and movement across the border.
On August 24, 2026, the Oyo State Police Command received actionable information from the Kwara State Police Command requesting assistance in intercepting a 2017 Lexus RX 350 SUV that had been stolen at gunpoint from a woman at her residence in Ilorin. The Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Violent Crime Response Unit to mount a stop-and-search operation along the Ibadan–Ilorin Expressway.
At about 4:00 a.m. on August 25, VCRU operatives sighted the stolen Lexus SUV and attempted to stop it. The occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush, but a hot pursuit led to the arrest of the two suspects. One of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury to his left foot during the operation.
A search of the recovered vehicle led to the recovery of valuables belonging to the victim, including four HP laptops, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, a bag containing seven wristwatches, and some jewellery. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to receiving the vehicle from the syndicate that stole it in Ilorin. They further disclosed that they were conveying the vehicle towards the border, where an ECOWAS document was to be obtained to facilitate its movement across the border for sale in a foreign country.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, who confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, said the Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism. The investigation has been intensified to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate and dismantle the wider transnational criminal network.
The suspects have been taken into custody and are undergoing further investigation. The police have assured the public that they remain committed to intelligence-led policing and strengthening inter-agency collaboration to bring criminal networks to justice.
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