Oyo police arrest three, recover N200m rail tracks in Surulere

Oyo police arrest three, recover N200m rail tracks in Suruleree Oyo State Police Command has arrested three men in connection with the theft and illegal transport of railway tracks valued at roughly N200 million. The recovery was made in Surulere Local Government Area, following a tip-off from a resident.

Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said operatives from the Command Monitoring Unit moved in and intercepted the suspects around 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The truck they were using, a HOWO with Cross River registration CAL 972 XA, was impounded on the spot.

Those arrested are Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22. According to preliminary findings, the tracks were originally removed from Niger State and brought into Oyo as part of a larger operation, with Lagos listed as the final drop-off point.

Investigations show the three played different roles: one was the driver contracted to move the tracks to Lagos, another coordinated the logistics, and the third acted as a temporary receiver, holding the materials in Ogbomoso before their onward journey.

All three have reportedly made confessional statements and are cooperating with investigators. The command said it is still pursuing other members of the syndicate and recovering additional evidence.

Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Abimbola praised the informant whose tip made the bust possible, describing it as a win for community-driven policing. He also reiterated that the state will not be a haven for economic sabotage, and urged the public to keep reporting suspicious activity.