CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 57-year-old driver, Akintayo Wasiu, in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hiace Space Bus entrusted to him by his employer in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, at the State Command, who revealed that the arrest was made in Ibadan on 24th May, 2026.
The Police boss explained that the suspect, Wasiu, was caught in possession of the stolen vehicle during a routine intelligence-led operation.
The bus, which belonged to his employer, had been missing for several weeks before it was traced to Ibadan.
He stated that the suspect, Wasiu, drove the vehicle away deliberately and relocated to Ibadan to avoid suspicion and distanced himself from the scene of the crime.
In order to cover his tracks, Wasiu allegedly forged new documents for the bus, which was intended to make the vehicle appear legitimate and reduce the chances of detection during road checks.
He also changed his phone number shortly after the theft to disconnect every communication with his former employer and make tracking more difficult.
However, the Command’s tracking unit continued to monitor leads and followed digital and physical clues.
The intensive investigation eventually led officers to the exact location where the suspect and the vehicle were found.
While being interrogated, Wasiu admitted to stealing the bus and attempting to conceal the crime. He confessed that he had planned to keep the vehicle and possibly resell it or use it for commercial purposes.
The recovered Toyota Hiace Space Bus is currently in Police custody and will undergo verification before being released to the rightful owner in line with legal procedure.
The suspect remains in detention and is expected to be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
CP Fatai reiterated the Command’s commitment to getting rid of criminal elements in the State.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains resolute and unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Lagos State through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic crime prevention mechanisms, and swift operational responses to criminal activities across the State” he stated.
The arrest of the suspect, Wasiu, was among the Command’s recorded significant operational breakthroughs within the month of May 2026, resulting in the foiling of kidnapping attempts, arrest of criminal suspects involved in armed robbery, cultism, stealing, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms, as well as the recovery of arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and large sum of money linked to criminal activities.