Operatives of the Idiroko Division of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully foiled a cross-border vehicle trafficking attempt, arresting two suspects and recovering a stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus. The incident occurred on Friday, June 13, 2026, after police received credible intelligence about the planned smuggling of the vehicle into the Benin Republic. The suspects, identified as Seun Lawal, 46, and Ademola Oriyomi, 38, were apprehended at the Babaloke area of Idiroko, where they had positioned the bus in preparation for its illegal movement across the international border.
According to DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Police Public Relations Officer, the bus had been reported stolen from Lagos and was being smuggled under false pretences. Babaseyi revealed that Seun Lawal, who was the company’s driver, conspired with Ademola Oriyomi, his guarantor, to steal and sell the vehicle in the Benin Republic. The suspects admitted during preliminary investigations that the proceeds from the sale were meant to fund their relocation after the illegal transaction.
The operation was launched following intelligence received at 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026. CSP Adejuwon Ariyo, who led the surveillance team, mobilised swiftly and intercepted the suspects as they attempted to move the bus. To prevent escape, police operatives shot one of the vehicle’s tyres, effectively immobilising it and halting the cross-border smuggling attempt.
The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine if they are linked to larger cross-border vehicle theft syndicates. Police have also intensified surveillance along border corridors to prevent similar incidents. CP Bode Ojajuni, the Commissioner of Police for Ogun State, praised the tactical precision and vigilance of CSP Ariyo and his team, highlighting their role in safeguarding the state’s borders.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and strengthened border security. He urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to security agencies. The successful recovery of the stolen bus underscores the police’s dedication to combating vehicle theft and cross-border crime in Ogun State. This operation serves as a warning to criminal elements that efforts to exploit border vulnerabilities will be met with swift and decisive action.
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