Oyo police arrest three vandals recovers stolen rail tracks valued at N200m

The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained campaign against economic sabotage and the vandalisation of critical national infrastructure with the arrest of three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and the recovery of stolen rail tracks valued at approximately ₦N200 million.

DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Oyo State Police Command in a statement said the breakthrough followed a timely tip-off from a vigilant member of the public. Acting on the credible intelligence, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit swiftly mobilised to Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State, where they intercepted the suspects on 14 July 2026 at about 1:45 p.m. before the stolen railway materials could be moved to their final destination.

The suspects, identified as Waheed Ayinde ‘M’ (54 years), Muhammed Sani ‘M’ (27 years), and Hassan Ibrahim ‘M’ (22 years), were arrested in connection with the illegal movement of vandalised railway tracks.

Recovered during the operation were vandalised rail tracks estimated to be worth ₦200 million and a HOWO truck bearing registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used in conveying the stolen items.

Ayanlade stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the railway tracks were unlawfully removed from Niger State and transported into Oyo State as part of a coordinated criminal operation, with Lagos serving as the intended final destination.

“Further findings established that the arrested suspects played distinct roles in the syndicate. They include the contracted driver responsible for conveying the stolen railway tracks to Lagos, a co-conspirator involved in coordinating the operation, and a temporary receiver who provided a storage location in Ogbomoso pending the clandestine movement of the stolen materials to their final destination.

The suspects have each made useful confessional statements and are cooperating with investigators. Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large, recover additional exhibits connected with the operation, and conclude a comprehensive investigation for diligent prosecution.

Reacting to the breakthrough,Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, the Commissioner of Police, commended the vigilant member of the public whose timely information led to the success of the operation, describing the feat as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community partnership.

He urged residents of Oyo State to continue supporting the Police and other security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring them that every actionable intelligence will receive prompt operational response.

The Commissioner further reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and emphasized that the Oyo State Police Command will not allow the State to become a breeding ground or safe haven for criminals and other perpetrators of economic sabotage.