The arrest of a trailer driver who allegedly disappeared with his employer’s vehicle has led the Ogun State Police Command to uncover a suspected network accused of dismantling stolen trailers and selling their parts. This was announced on Monday, 27 July in a press release by the Ogun State Police Command.
Police arrested five suspects between 24 and 25 July after an investigation into a trailer reported missing since 6 June.
The operation led to the recovery of the trailer head and exposed what investigators believe is an organised chain involved in stripping stolen trailers.
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The discovery is important as it points to a pattern that could affect transport businesses and goods movement if left unchecked.
The case began after the owner of the trailer reported to the Ifo Divisional Headquarters that his driver had vanished with the vehicle.
After several unsuccessful attempts to find both the driver and the trailer, detectives launched an intelligence-led investigation to trace the suspect and determine what had happened to the missing vehicle.
Investigation points to organised dismantling
Police said detectives from the Ifo Division tracked the fleeing driver, Temitope Omotayo Odulaja, 47, to Ikorodu in Lagos State, where he was arrested on 24 July. Investigators said information obtained from him helped them expand the operation into Ijebu Ode the following day.
The follow-up operation led to the arrest of Segun Suleiman, 27, Haruna Olaogun, 49, Jimoh Wasiu, 42, and Quazzim Suleiman, 49, at different locations within the town.
Initial findings indicated that the trailer had been dismantled shortly after it was stolen. Police said several components had already been disposed of before detectives traced the suspects.
Investigators recovered parts of the vehicle, including the trailer head, while photographs of the dismantled trailer were taken as evidence for the case.
Police said the inquiry has now shifted from recovering one stolen vehicle to uncovering the full activities of the suspected group. Detectives are working to recover other missing parts, identify more suspects and determine whether the group is linked to similar incidents.
Police widen search for other suspects
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, praised the detectives for following intelligence that led to the arrests and recovery of exhibits.
He said the operation showed the command’s determination to identify criminal groups involved in vehicle theft and break up their activities.
Police also noted that transport operators, fleet owners and logistics companies should pay closer attention to the movement of their vehicles and report suspicious activity without delay. Such reports, they noted, can help investigators respond quickly before stolen vehicles are dismantled or taken to other locations.
The police believe early reporting played an important role in keeping the investigation active, even though the trailer had been missing for several weeks before the arrests were made.
Vehicle theft has remained a serious financial burden for transport companies because stolen trucks and trailers are often used to move goods worth millions of naira. When vehicles are dismantled quickly, recovering them becomes much more difficult, leaving owners with major losses.
Fortunately, detectives were able to recover part of the missing trailer and identify other suspects believed to have taken part in the operation.
Police said the investigation is still continuing. Detectives are trying to establish the full scale of the suspected trailer dismantling network and recover more exhibits linked to the case.
The five suspects are being investigated over alleged conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property. Police said anyone found culpable after the investigation will be charged in court in line with the law.
The command also appealed to members of the public to report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities through its emergency communication channels as efforts continue to stop organised vehicle theft and recover stolen property.
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