The Oyo State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of a motorcycle theft syndicate during a coordinated operation in Kishi, as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal activities across the state.
The suspects were apprehended on Thursday night following credible intelligence received by operatives attached to the Kishi Division that a group of individuals was in possession of motorcycles suspected to have been stolen within the town. Acting swiftly on the information, police operatives launched an operation around 8:30 p.m., leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of four Bajaj motorcycles believed to have been stolen.
The police identified the suspects as Akeem Kehinde, 20; Rasaq Muhideen, 35; Jimoh Musakiru, 28; Ganiyu Saheed, 30; Iliasu Abdullahi, 25; Owonikoko Nurudeen, 27; Mukaila Ibrahim, 26; and Badmos Awwal, 26. According to the Command, the suspects were found in suspicious possession of the motorcycles during the operation.
Preliminary investigations conducted by detectives reportedly confirmed the initial intelligence, with the recovered motorcycles suspected to be proceeds of theft operations carried out by the syndicate. Police authorities disclosed that the suspects confessed during interrogation and admitted to different roles in the alleged criminal enterprise.
The Command stated that further investigations are ongoing to identify the rightful owners of the recovered motorcycles and uncover the full network of the syndicate, including possible collaborators operating within and outside the state.
Commending the operatives involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, praised their professionalism, swift response, and dedication to duty. The police commissioner also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for what he described as continued strategic leadership and support toward strengthening effective policing nationwide.
The Command further appealed to residents of the state to continue supporting security agencies through timely intelligence sharing and community cooperation, stressing that effective crime fighting depends largely on collaboration between the public and law enforcement authorities. Police authorities reassured residents of their commitment to protecting lives and property across Oyo State while sustaining ongoing operations against criminal elements.
