Following a successful intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), the Oyo State Police Command has busted a trans-national and organised criminal network involved in the trafficking of stolen exotic vehicles across Nigeria’s borders for sale in foreign countries.
One of the suspects already in police custody in connection with an armed robbery case, in which about 10 victims have so far come forward to volunteer statements, during interrogation disclosed his knowledge of the activities of a criminal gang specialising in receiving and conveying stolen vehicles to foreign countries.
Following this lead, operatives allowed the suspect to operate his mobile phone under controlled circumstances, during which members of the syndicate forwarded to him pictures of a vehicle they were about to steal and instructed him to make proper arrangements for its reception, preparation and movement across the border for sale in a foreign country.
Ayanlade Oluseyi Olayinka, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Oyo State Police Command in statement said coincidentally, on 24 August 2026, the Oyo State Police Command received actionable information from the Kwara State Police Command requesting assistance in intercepting a Lexus RX 350 SUV, 2017 model, which had been stolen from a woman at gunpoint at her residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, alongside other valuables.
