By Ayodele Oni
The Ondo State Police Command has shed light on how a suspected robber drugged his victim and made away with his Toyota Corolla.
The stolen car was later tracked to the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja where it was recovered.
Police spokesman, Olusola Ayanlade stated that investigation revealed that the suspect, Ojodi Esiah, hired a Toyota Corolla belonging to Tunde Olubode under the pretext of attending to business within Akure metropolis.
“While in the Agbogbo area of the city, the suspect deceitfully induced the vehicle owner to take alcohol laced with a sedative, causing him to fall into deep sleep.
“Taking advantage of the situation, the suspect absconded with the vehicle. Prompt reporting by the owner enabled the Command to immediately launch a discreet, intelligence- and technology-led investigation to trace and recover the stolen car.
“Through coordinated efforts and strong intra-agency collaboration between the Ondo State Police Command and the FCT Police Command, operatives traced the stolen vehicle to the Gbwangbalada area of Abuja.
“Acting on this intelligence, the suspect was arrested, and the vehicle was successfully recovered.
“Subsequently, both the recovered vehicle and the suspect were conveyed to Akure on 4th November 2025, where he remains in custody as further investigations continue to determine the extent of his involvement in similar offences and to identify possible accomplices.”
In another operation, operatives of the command attached to Osukoti division botched a network of suspected motorcycle thieves operating in Ondo and Ekiti states.
“The operation was initiated after a report was received from Tiamiyi Sodiq and one other, who complained that their two TVS motorcycles—one blue and the other grey—had been stolen.
“Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, detectives led by the Divisional Officer tracked one of the stolen motorcycles to Akintade Street, Osukoti.
“The team moved decisively to the area and arrested the suspect at Enyo Filling Station along Owo/Ilesha Expressway, where the blue TVS motorcycle was recovered.
“In the course of the operation, another black TVS motorcycle was found abandoned at the scene after its rider fled upon sighting the police.
“Further investigation seamlessly progressed with a search conducted in the suspect’s residence, during which two side mirrors—believed to have been removed from one of the stolen motorcycles—were recovered.
“Findings so far revealed that the syndicate operates as an interstate network, stealing motorcycles from Ekiti to sell in Ondo, and from Ondo to dispose of in Ekiti, thereby exploiting proximity and road connectivity between the two states to conceal their criminal operations.
“As a result of the prompt and coordinated police response, two motorcycles have been successfully recovered.
“The arrested suspect is currently cooperating with investigators to facilitate the recovery of other stolen motorcycles and to assist in tracking down the remaining members of the gang who are still at large.”
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
