The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered stolen rail tracks worth an estimated N200 million in Surulere Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 14, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the arrests were made following a timely tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.
Ayanlade said operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit swiftly mobilised to the area and intercepted the suspects at about 1:45 p.m.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the railway tracks had been illegally removed from Niger State and transported into Oyo State as part of a coordinated criminal operation, with Lagos identified as the intended final destination.
The suspects, according to him, are Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22. Recovered were vandalised rail tracks valued at about N200 million and a HOWO truck with registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used to convey the stolen items.
Ayanlade said, “The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained campaign against economic sabotage and the vandalisation of critical national infrastructure with the arrest of three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and the recovery of stolen rail tracks valued at approximately N200,000,000.00.
“The breakthrough followed a timely tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.
“Acting on the credible intelligence, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit swiftly mobilised to Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State, where they intercepted the suspects on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at about 1:45 p.m. before the stolen railway materials could be moved to their final destination.
“The suspects, identified as Waheed Ayinde ‘M’ (54 years), Muhammed Sani ‘M’ (27 years), and Hassan Ibrahim ‘M’ (22 years), were arrested in connection with the illegal movement of vandalised railway tracks. Recovered during the operation were vandalised rail tracks estimated to be worth ₦200 million and a HOWO truck bearing registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used in conveying the stolen items.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the railway tracks were unlawfully removed from Niger State and transported into Oyo State as part of a coordinated criminal operation, with Lagos serving as the intended final destination.
“Further findings established that the arrested suspects played distinct roles in the syndicate. They include the contracted driver responsible for conveying the stolen railway tracks to Lagos, a co-conspirator involved in coordinating the operation, and a temporary receiver who provided a storage location in Ogbomoso pending the clandestine movement of the stolen materials to their final destination.”
He stated that the suspects had each made useful confessional statements and were cooperating with investigators.
The PPRO said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large, recover additional exhibits connected to the operation and conclude investigations for prosecution.
Ayanlade added that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the vigilant member of the public whose timely information led to the success of the operation, describing the feat as a demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community partnership.
The CP urged residents to continue supporting the police and other security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring them that every actionable intelligence would receive a prompt operational response.
“The Commissioner further 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,” the statement added.