A 60-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly posing as a passenger to steal a driver's car and sell it for N700,000 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The suspect, identified as Femi Ojo, was arrested alongside two alleged receivers of the stolen vehicle following an investigation by the Oyo State Police Command.
Police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the case was reported at the Agodi Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3, 2026, by the vehicle owner, Ruben Adebayo, a 55-year-old resident of Akobo, Ibadan.
According to the police, Adebayo picked up Ojo at Akobo and drove him to the Motor Spare Parts Market at Gate, Ibadan, where the suspect claimed he wanted to buy an engine and other vehicle parts.
After inspecting several engines, Ojo reportedly bought only a vehicle shaft before telling the driver he had located another shop with a suitable engine.
Police said the suspect left the market on a commercial motorcycle and instructed Adebayo to remain behind with the shaft. He later called the driver, asking him to send the shaft to his new location through a motorcycle rider, claiming it would save time.
Believing the request was genuine, Adebayo parked and locked his Toyota Carina E, registration number GGE 488 CN, before leaving to deliver the vehicle part.
Investigators alleged that Ojo had already positioned an accomplice at the market, who drove away with the car after the driver left.
When Adebayo arrived at the agreed location, Ojo was nowhere to be found. He returned to where he had parked the vehicle and discovered it had been stolen.
Police launched an intelligence-led investigation that traced the vehicle to Akure, Ondo State.
The investigation revealed that Ojo and his fleeing accomplice allegedly sold the vehicle for N700,000 to 49-year-old Kayode Afolabi, who later resold it for N800,000 to another suspect, 49-year-old Olatunji Mutiu.
The stolen vehicle was recovered at the Motor Spare Parts Market in Oyarugbulem, Akure.
Police said the suspects had repainted the former Oyo commercial vehicle from its original colour to green in an attempt to conceal its identity.
Detectives also discovered that the latest buyer had begun dismantling the vehicle by removing its engine and gearbox. The removed parts were recovered, while the vehicle has been taken to a secure police facility.
According to the command, Ojo and the two alleged receivers confessed to their roles during interrogation.
The police said the suspects will be charged in court after investigations are concluded, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplice and identify other members of the criminal network.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the recovery as a demonstration of the command's commitment to intelligence-led policing and crime prevention. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies.
