Police Thwart Cattle Rustling In Oyo, Arrest 4

The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended four suspects linked to a cattle rustling incident in Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local Government Area.

This was confirmed in a statement released on Monday by the state police public relations officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, in Ibadan, the state capital.

According to Ayanlade, the suspects include Sekooni Wale, 30, the driver of a Mazda bus, and Jimoh Toheeb, 25, the motor boy. He said further investigations led to Maya Town in Lanlate, where the principal suspect, Moshood Abdullahi, 38, a notorious cattle rustler reportedly from Badagry, was arrested. His capture also resulted in the arrest of another accomplice, Macho Sindi, 29.

Ayanlade said, “The state police command recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat rural criminality and protect lives and property, with the successful recovery of rustled cattle and the arrest of four suspected cattle rustlers following a swift response to a distress report from Ado-Awaye division.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., when a report was received from one Muhammad Ibrahim of the Igbojaye area, who informed the Police that armed hoodlums had invaded the camp of one Yahaya, located at Iserin area via Ado-Awaye, and made away with his cows. Upon receipt of the report, the divisional police officer, Ado-Awaye division, immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives and local security partners, including vigilantes, to the scene.

“The coordinated response led to the timely interception of the suspects and ultimately the successful recovery of the rustled cattle. This operation underscores the critical role of collaborative security efforts between the police and community stakeholders in protecting lives and property in rural communities.

“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the suspects had already loaded two cows into a white Mazda bus with registration number KMA 178 ZY and were in the process of loading three other cows when the Police patrol team closed in on them. Sighting the approaching operatives, the hoodlums abandoned the vehicle loaded with the stolen cows and fled into the bush.”

He added, “At the scene, the joint team found two cattle herders, namely Ibrahim Musa and Ibrahim Umaru, who had been tied together by the fleeing suspects. The police and vigilante team immediately commenced intensive bush combing and a coordinated manhunt for the fleeing criminals. This led to the arrest of Sekooni Wale, aged 30, the driver of the Mazda bus, and Jimoh Toheeb, aged 25, the motor boy.

“Further investigation was subsequently extended to Maya Town in the Lanlate area, where the principal suspect, Moshood Abdullahi, aged 38, was apprehended. The suspect, who reportedly came from Badagry, was also identified as a notorious cattle rustler. His arrest further led to the apprehension of another accomplice, Macho Sindi, aged 29 years.”

The PPRO stated that the suspects confessed to their involvement during interrogation.

He added that the state commissioner of police, Femi Haruna, commended the courage and prompt action of the operatives and local security partners, whose swift intervention thwarted the crime and ensured the recovery of the stolen livestock.