Oyo Police Arrest 3 Suspected Vehicle-Snatching Syndicate Members in Ibadan

The Oyo State Police Command says it has arrested three suspected armed robbers linked to a vehicle-snatching syndicate operating in Ibadan and surrounding areas.

The command said in a statement Tuesday on X that the suspects were arrested June 20 following credible intelligence about a group stealing exotic vehicles from residents.

Police said intelligence showed syndicate members planned to converge around Olorunsogo, Ibadan, for planned robbery operations within and outside the state capital. Oyo Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga then directed the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, to act.

The suspects were identified as Akinpelu Afeez, 39, alias “Starboy”; Taiwo Adams, 45, alias “Adamson”; and Salawudeen Taofeeq, 35, alias “T.K.”

The command said they confessed to multiple vehicle-snatching operations in Ibadan and admitted using locally fabricated firearms.

Based on their confessions, detectives obtained a search warrant and raided the suspects’ hideout in Aremo, Ibadan. Police recovered two locally made cut-to-size single-barrel guns and six live cartridges.

Investigations are ongoing to arrest other syndicate members and track buyers of stolen vehicles, the command said.

CP Olugbenga reassured residents of the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and dismantling criminal networks.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to aid security operations.

“The police remain committed to ensuring Oyo State remains unsafe for criminals and secure for law-abiding citizens,” the statement added.