POLICE SINK AKURE VEHICLE SYNDICATE

AKURE — The Ondo State Police Command has smashed a suspected cross-border vehicle theft syndicate following a high-stakes, intelligence-led operation in Akure. The breakthrough resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect and the successful recovery of a Toyota RAV4 SUV, which had been stolen from Lagos State eight months ago.

​The operation highlights the tightening noose around organized car theft rings attempting to use Ondo State as a safe haven for disposing of stolen automobiles.

​The Setup and Arrest

​The breakthrough began on Monday, May 12, 2026, when operatives attached to the Fagun Division in Akure received a tip-off regarding a fraudulent registration attempt. A man was reportedly trying to clear official documentation for a suspicious Toyota RAV4 under highly questionable circumstances.

​Detectives moved swiftly to the scene, placing the area under discreet surveillance. The suspect, identified as Ayodabo Temitope, was caught red-handed while processing the vehicle’s papers and was immediately taken into custody.

​The Breakthrough Investigation

​Following a intense preliminary interrogation, Temitope cracked, leading detectives on an expanded investigation outside the state capital. The trail led the police team to the Ifetedo area, a border community, where the hidden SUV was successfully tracked down and impounded.

​A digital forensic audit of the vehicle’s chassis and engine numbers revealed that the SUV belonged to Mr. Sanni Halilulai, a resident of Ireshe Road in Ikorodu, Lagos State. When contacted by the police, a shocked Halilulai confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen from its parking spot in Lagos on September 17, 2025.

​Reactions and Official Statements

​The Ondo State Police Command has since handed over the recovered vehicle to Mr. Halilulai after a thorough verification of his original ownership documents. Relieved to have his car back, Halilulai praised the Fagun Division operatives for their professionalism and swift intervention.

​The Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended his men for their vigilance and proactive approach to crime prevention.

​”This success is a testament to our unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing,” CP Lawal stated. “Ondo State will never be a dumping ground or a safe haven for criminal syndicates. We are actively dismantling these networks, and anyone involved in the theft or trafficking of stolen vehicles will face the full weight of the law.”

​CP Lawal also extended appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, noting that the IGP’s strategic leadership and deep familiarity with Ondo State’s security architecture have significantly boosted the command’s operational capacity.

​Next Steps

​The suspect, Ayodabo Temitope, remains in police custody. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command is currently tracking other fleeing members of the criminal network believed to be specialized in altering vehicle particulars.

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​Temitope will be formally arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

​The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious vehicle registration or sales to the authorities via their official hotlines.