The Oyo State Police Command has recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested three suspects over alleged vehicle theft and receiving stolen property, in what it described as another major breakthrough in its fight against organised crime.
The recovered vehicle, a Toyota Carina E with registration number GGE 488 CN, was allegedly stolen on July 3 after its owner, 55-year-old Ruben Adebayo of Akobo, Ibadan, was lured into a carefully planned scheme by a suspect posing as a customer.
Police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the complainant had conveyed the principal suspect, 60-year-old Femi Ojo, from Akobo to the Motor Spare Parts Market at Gate, Ibadan, where Ojo claimed he wanted to buy a vehicle engine and other spare parts.
According to the police, after inspecting and negotiating prices for several engines without reaching an agreement, Ojo purchased a vehicle shaft and informed the driver that he had located another place where a suitable engine could be obtained.
The suspect then left on a commercial motorcycle, instructing Adebayo to remain at the market with the purchased shaft until he called.
Ayanlade said Ojo later telephoned the complainant and requested that the shaft be sent to him through a commercial motorcycle rider, claiming it would be faster. Trusting the request, Adebayo parked and locked his vehicle before leaving with the item.
Unknown to him, an accomplice who had allegedly been stationed at the market stole the vehicle during his absence. By the time Adebayo arrived at the agreed location, Ojo had disappeared and the vehicle was nowhere to be found.
