The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered stolen rail tracks valued at about ₦200 million in a major crackdown on the vandalisation of critical national infrastructure.
The suspects were intercepted at Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State while allegedly transporting the stolen railway materials, following credible intelligence provided by a vigilant member of the public.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, said operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit acted on the tip-off and arrested the suspects on July 14, 2026, at about 1:45 p.m., before the stolen rail tracks could be moved to their intended destination.
According to the statement, the suspects were identified as Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22.
Recovered during the operation were vandalised railway tracks estimated to be worth ₦200 million and a HOWO truck with registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used to convey the stolen materials.
Police investigations revealed that the railway tracks were illegally removed from Niger State and transported into Oyo State, with Lagos identified as the intended final destination.
Further findings showed that the three suspects played different roles in the syndicate, including serving as the contracted driver conveying the stolen tracks, a coordinator of the operation, and a temporary receiver who allegedly provided a storage facility in Ogbomoso before the materials were to be moved to Lagos.
“The suspects have each made useful confessional statements and are cooperating with investigators. Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who remain at large, recover additional exhibits connected with the operation, and conclude a comprehensive investigation for diligent prosecution,” the statement said.
Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, commended the member of the public whose timely information led to the arrests, describing the success as a demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community partnership.
He urged residents of Oyo State to continue supporting the Police and other security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring them that every actionable intelligence will receive prompt operational response.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and emphasised that the Oyo State Police Command will not allow the State to become a breeding ground or safe haven for criminals and other perpetrators of economic sabotage.
