Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered stolen railway tracks valued at approximately ₦200 million in a major intelligence-led operation aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure.
The suspects, identified as Waheed Ayinde, 54, Muhammed Sani, 27, and Hassan Ibrahim, 22, were arrested on July 14, 2026, by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit in the Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the operatives also recovered a large quantity of vandalised railway tracks and a HOWO truck with registration number CAL 972 XA, allegedly used to transport the stolen materials.
Ayanlade disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the railway tracks were stolen from Niger State and were being transported to Lagos.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the operatives also recovered a large quantity of vandalised railway tracks and a HOWO truck with registration number CAL 972 XA, allegedly used to transport the stolen materials.
Ayanlade disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the railway tracks were stolen from Niger State and were being transported to Lagos.
He added that the syndicate allegedly used Ogbomoso as a temporary storage point before attempting to move the stolen infrastructure to its final destination.
He said the successful operation was made possible through credible intelligence provided by members of the public, enabling officers to intercept the suspects before the stolen rail materials could be moved further.
The police spokesperson noted that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network, stressing that the Command remains committed to safeguarding critical national assets and intensifying efforts to combat vandalism and other crimes across the state.
The Command also commended members of the public for their timely information and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to enhance public safety and protect vital infrastructure.
He said the successful operation was made possible through credible intelligence provided by members of the public, enabling officers to intercept the suspects before the stolen rail materials could be moved further.
The police spokesperson noted that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network, stressing that the Command remains committed to safeguarding critical national assets and intensifying efforts to combat vandalism and other crimes across the state.
The Command also commended members of the public for their timely information and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to enhance public safety and protect vital infrastructure.
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