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ABEOKUTA — The Ogun State Police Command has successfully foiled an alleged cross-border vehicle trafficking operation and arrested two suspects accused of conspiring to smuggle a stolen company bus into the Republic of Benin for illegal sale.
The suspects, identified as Seun Lawal, 46, and Ademola Oriyomi, 38, were apprehended by operatives of the Idiroko Division following what police described as an intelligence-driven operation that prevented the illegal movement of a stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus across Nigeria’s western border.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the operation was spearheaded by the Divisional Police Officer of Idiroko Division, CSP Adejuwon Ariyo, and his team after receiving actionable intelligence regarding the planned smuggling of the vehicle.
The police spokesperson disclosed that intelligence reports received at about 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026, indicated that the suspects had positioned the bus at the Babaloke area of Idiroko and were preparing to move it across the international border under false pretences.
“Operatives attached to Idiroko Division of the Ogun State Police Command, led by CSP Adejuwon Ariyo, the Divisional Police Officer, have foiled a cross-border vehicle trafficking attempt and arrested two suspects, Seun Lawal ‘M’, aged 46 years, and Ademola Oriyomi ‘M’, aged 38 years, over a conspiracy involving a company driver and his guarantor to smuggle a 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus, earlier declared stolen from Lagos, into the Benin Republic for illegal disposal,” the statement said.
The Command explained that officers moved swiftly after receiving the intelligence, deploying a surveillance team to monitor and intercept the suspects before they could execute the plan.
According to the statement, “Acting swiftly on the information, CSP Adejuwon Ariyo mobilised and led a surveillance team to the location, where operatives intercepted the suspects in the course of executing the cross-border movement.”
In what police described as a decisive tactical operation, officers disabled the vehicle to prevent it from escaping across the border.
“In a decisive tactical response, the operatives demobilised the vehicle by shooting one of its tyres, effectively immobilising it and preventing its escape across the border,” the police stated.
The operation resulted in the immediate arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen vehicle.
“The prompt intervention led to the arrest of the two suspects and the recovery of the stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus at the scene,” the statement added.
Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that the alleged crime involved an insider arrangement between the company’s driver and his guarantor.
Police revealed that “Seun Lawal, a driver, conspired with Ademola Oriyomi, his guarantor, to steal and sell the vehicle in the Benin Republic.”
Investigators further discovered that the suspects allegedly intended to use the proceeds from the illegal transaction to relocate.
The statement noted that “the suspects admitted that the proceeds were intended to facilitate their relocation after the illegal transaction.”
Authorities said both suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue.
“The suspects are currently in custody while investigation continues to uncover possible links to broader cross-border vehicle theft syndicates,” the Command disclosed.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism and swift response of the Idiroko Division personnel.
The statement quoted the Commissioner as commending “the professionalism, vigilance, and tactical precision of CSP Adejuwon Ariyo and the operatives of Idiroko Division, whose intelligence-led response ensured the interception, demobilisation, and recovery of the stolen vehicle.”
CP Ojajuni reaffirmed the Command’s determination to strengthen security across border communities and deny criminals safe operating spaces.
According to the statement, “the CP reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to proactive policing, strengthened border security operations, and sustained efforts aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action within Ogun State and its border corridors.”
The police also called on members of the public to support security agencies through timely reporting of suspicious activities.
“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies,” the statement said.
Residents were advised to utilise the Command’s emergency communication channels, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line and other designated emergency numbers, to provide credible information that could assist security operations.
The latest operation underscores the growing emphasis by law enforcement agencies on intelligence-led policing and cross-border security surveillance aimed at curbing vehicle theft, trafficking, and other transnational crimes along Nigeria’s border corridors.
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