The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a fleeing trailer driver and four suspected accomplices, uncovered an alleged trailer-dismantling syndicate, and recovered parts of a stolen trailer in a major intelligence-led operation targeting organised vehicle theft.
The suspects: Temitope Omotayo Odulaja, 47; Segun Suleiman, 27; Haruna Olaogun, 49; Jimoh Wasiu, 42; and Quazzim Suleiman, 49, were arrested over their alleged involvement in conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said detectives attached to the Ifo Division, under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, immediately deployed technical intelligence and other investigative resources to track down the fleeing driver.
Babaseyi said the arrests followed a complaint lodged at the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters by the owner of the trailer, who reported that his driver had absconded with the vehicle on June 6, 2026. Despite initial efforts to trace both the driver and the trailer, the vehicle remained missing, prompting detectives to launch an intelligence-led investigation.
According to him, the breakthrough came on July 24 when detectives, acting on credible intelligence, tracked Odulaja to Ikorodu, Lagos State, where he was arrested.
“Following the complaint received at the Ifo Divisional Headquarters, detectives immediately commenced an intelligence-led investigation and deployed technical intelligence to trace the fleeing driver. Acting on credible intelligence, the suspect was tracked to Ikorodu, Lagos State, where he was arrested on July 24, 2026. His arrest yielded useful information that significantly advanced the investigation,“ Babaseyi said.
He disclosed that investigators extended the operation to Ijebu-Ode on July 25, where the four other suspects were arrested at different locations for their alleged roles in the criminal enterprise.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police spokesman, revealed that the stolen trailer had been dismantled shortly after it was allegedly stolen and its components unlawfully disposed of.
He said detectives have so far recovered parts of the stolen trailer, including the trailer head, while photographs of the dismantled vehicle have been taken as exhibits.
“Our investigation has uncovered a suspected criminal syndicate allegedly engaged in dismantling stolen trailers and disposing of their parts. Detectives have recovered parts of the stolen trailer, including the trailer head, while efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining components, identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, establish the full extent of its activities, and recover additional exhibits,” he stated.
Babaseyi said investigations were ongoing and assured that all suspects found culpable would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Commending the detectives for their professionalism, diligence and intelligence-driven approach, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the Command’s efforts to combat organised vehicle theft and related crimes.
The police spokesman quoted the Commissioner as saying that the arrest of the fleeing trailer driver, the subsequent arrest of his alleged accomplices, the recovery of parts of the stolen trailer and the uncovering of the suspected trailer-dismantling syndicate underscored the Command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing and dismantling criminal networks operating within the state.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains resolute in identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks operating within the state. We urge transport operators, fleet owners, logistics companies and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles and suspicious activities to the police. Intelligence-led policing remains central to our strategy of safeguarding lives and property while ensuring that all criminal elements are brought to justice,” Babaseyi quoted the Commissioner as saying.
He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to aid ongoing efforts to combat crime and enhance public safety across Ogun State.
