Oyo Police Bust Transnational Syndicate Trafficking Stolen Exotic Cars Abroad

The Oyo State Police Command has busted a trans-national and organised criminal network involved in the trafficking of stolen exotic vehicles across Nigeria’s borders for sale in foreign countries.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, who disclosed on Wednesday, said this followed a successful intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

He said one of the suspects already in police custody in connection with an armed robbery case, in which about 10 victims have so far come forward to volunteer statements, during interrogation disclosed his knowledge of the activities of a criminal gang specialising in receiving and conveying stolen vehicles to foreign countries.

Following this lead, Olayinka said operatives allowed the suspect to operate his mobile phone under controlled circumstances, during which members of the syndicate forwarded to him pictures of a vehicle they were about to steal and instructed him to make proper arrangements for its reception, preparation and movement across the border for sale in a foreign country.

“Coincidentally, on 24 August 2026, the Oyo State Police Command received actionable information from the Kwara State Police Command requesting assistance in intercepting a Lexus RX 350 SUV, 2017 model, which had been stolen from a woman at gunpoint at her residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, alongside other valuables.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, directed the Commander, VCRU, to immediately mount an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the Ibadan–Ilorin Expressway with a view to intercepting the stolen vehicle and arresting the perpetrators.

“At about 0400hrs on 25 August 2026, VCRU operatives sighted the stolen Lexus SUV and attempted to stop it for interrogation. The occupants, however, abandoned the vehicle and fled in different directions into the bush in an attempt to evade arrest.

“The operatives gave them a hot chase, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, one of whom sustained a bullet wound to his left foot during the operation,” he said.

He added that the suspects identified themselves as Adewale Abiola, male, 33 years, and Kabiru Abobarin, male, 36 years, also known as “KB.

He said search of the recovered vehicle led to the recovery of valuables belonging to the victim, including four HP laptops, one iPhone 15 Pro Max, a bag containing seven wristwatches and some jewellery.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to having received 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.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga has commended the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism and effective utilisation of actionable intelligence.

He has directed that the investigation be intensified towards identifying and arresting other members of the syndicate, as well as dismantling the wider trans-national criminal network.

He added that the Command appreciates the cooperation and intelligence-sharing between the Oyo and Kwara State Police Commands, noting that sustained inter-state collaboration remains critical to effectively disrupting organised and trans-national criminal activities.

The Command reiterates its commitment to intelligence-led policing, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and ensuring that criminal networks operating within and across the state are brought to justice.