Police arrest 60-year-old passenger and 2 others for alleged car theft in Oyo

A 60-year-old man and two others are now in the net of the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly stealing a vehicle in Ibadan.

The Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement on Sunday, said the three suspects confessed to their respective roles in the commission of the crime.

DSP Ayanlade added that on 3 July 2026, at about 4pm, one Mr Ruben Adebayo, a 55-year-old resident of Akobo, Ibadan, reported to the police that his Toyota Carina E, marked GGE 488 CN, was stolen by a passenger who he had transported from Akobo to Motor Spare Parts Market, Agodi Gate, Ibadan.

He said preliminary investigation into the complaint revealed that the main suspect, Femi Ojo, aged 60, had engaged the complainant on the pretext of purchasing a vehicle engine and other spare parts.

“Upon arrival at the market, the suspect examined various engine options and negotiated prices with traders. Although negotiations for the engine were unsuccessful, he purchased a vehicle shaft and subsequently informed the complainant that he had located another location where a suitable engine could be obtained,” he said.

The PPRO added: “He subsequently boarded a commercial motorcycle at the new location, ordering the complainant to remain at the market with the tree of the purchased vehicle awaiting further instructions.

“In furtherance of the criminal plan, the suspect telephoned the complainant and asked him to deliver the well of the purchased vehicle to the new location via a commercial motorcyclist, stating that this would be quicker and more convenient.

“Trusting the suspect’s explanation, the complainant parked and locked his vehicle before proceeding with the assignment. Unknown to him, the suspect had strategically positioned an accomplice, currently at large, in the engine spare parts market to steal the vehicle during his absence. Upon arriving at the designated location, the complainant discovered that the suspect had disappeared without a trace. He immediately returned to where he had parked his vehicle, only to discover that the vehicle had been stolen.”

He said with the report and armed with these facts, detectives from the Oyo State Police Command immediately launched an intelligence-led investigation which led to the arrest of the prime suspect, Femi Ojo, in Akure, Ondo State.

“Investigation further revealed that Femi Ojo, acting in concert with his absconding accomplice, sold the stolen vehicle for the sum of 700,000 naira to Kayode Afolabi, aged 49, who subsequently resold it for 800,000 naira to Olatunji Mutiu, aged 49. Based on this discovery, detectives extended the operation, leading to the arrest of Kayode Afolabi and Olatunji Mutiu, as well as recovery of stolen vehicle vehicle at Oyarugbulem Motor Spare Parts Market, Akure.