Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja and Oyo State have arrested seven suspected members of separate interstate armed robbery, car snatching, and truck-hijacking syndicates.
PUNCH Metro learnt this in separate statements by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, and the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, on Sunday.
In Abuja, Iniedu noted that the suspects were arrested during coordinated operations conducted between August 14 and 19, 2026.
He identified the suspects as Ahmed Saidu, aka Diamond M, Alex Gabriel, aka Junior M, and Ahmed Mahudu, aka Diamond M, who were arrested following actionable intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.
The FPRO stated that the suspects were linked to a series of armed robbery incidents involving the snatching of vehicles at gunpoint.
He noted that the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the alleged criminal activities and mentioned one Yakubu Yewa, aka Y/Come, as the suspected kingpin of the syndicate.
The FPRO said Yewa was currently being held at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he was standing trial for armed robbery.
“The investigation revealed that the suspected kingpin allegedly coordinated and directed the syndicate’s robbery operations and the disposal of stolen vehicles within and outside Nigeria,” the statement read.
He noted that two vehicles were recovered during the operations.
The recovered vehicles were a red Toyota Corolla and an army-coloured Volkswagen Golf 3.
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to dismantling criminal networks, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice,” the statement added.
In Oyo, Ayanlade noted that operatives arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery and truck-hijacking syndicate and recovered a stolen SINO HOWO truck.
He noted that the suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence and a tip-off from members of the public that the syndicate would be operating on August 24, 2026.
The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit to mount an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
He added that the operatives subsequently intercepted a white-coloured SINO HOWO truck and arrested two suspects identified as Ojedokun Olakunle Isaac, said to be the motor boy attached to the truck driver, and his alleged accomplice, Ajuwon Ismail.
The police said the truck had already had its back body, also known as the bucket, removed and was being driven towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin axis for onward delivery to a suspected criminal receiver.
“During interrogation, Ojedokun Olakunle Isaac confessed to masterminding the hijacking of the truck from his master along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” the statement read.
The command said the confession provided further leads that enabled operatives to track and arrest two other suspected members of the syndicate, identified as Adekunle Sunday and Rasheed Music.
According to the police, Sunday allegedly served as the syndicate’s designated driver, transporting hijacked trucks to suspected criminal receivers.
Further investigation reportedly revealed that the truck was hijacked along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on August 24 at about 11 pm before it was diverted towards the Ogbomoso/Ilorin axis for onward sale.
The police said the intelligence-led intervention of the VCRU operatives disrupted the suspects’ alleged plan and led to the recovery of the truck.
The command added that efforts were ongoing to recover the detached back body of the vehicle and apprehend other members of the syndicate who were still at large.
Reacting to the development, Olugbenga commended members of the public for providing timely and credible information that contributed to the success of the operation.
