The Oyo State Police Command has dismantled part of a suspected railway vandalism network with the arrest of three alleged members of the syndicate and the recovery of stolen railway tracks valued at about N200 million.
The command disclosed that the operation was carried out in Surulere Local Government Area following credible intelligence supplied by a concerned member of the public.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said operatives attached to the Command Monitoring Unit acted swiftly on the information and intercepted the suspects at about 1:45 p.m.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the recovered railway materials had been illegally removed from Niger State before being transported into Oyo State as part of a coordinated criminal operation.
The investigation further showed that the stolen rail tracks were being moved to Lagos, which was identified as the intended final destination.
The suspects were identified as Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22.
Items recovered during the operation included vandalised railway tracks estimated to be worth N200 million and a HOWO truck bearing Cross River registration number CAL 972 XA, which was allegedly used to transport the stolen materials.
“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 ₦200,000,000.00.
“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.”
The police spokesperson said investigations established that each of the suspects had specific responsibilities within the criminal network.
According to the command, one of them allegedly served as the truck driver responsible for transporting the stolen railway materials to Lagos, another coordinated aspects of the operation, while the third allegedly provided temporary storage for the items in Ogbomoso before they were to be moved out of the state.
Ayanlade disclosed that all three suspects had made useful confessional statements and were cooperating with investigators.
He added that the command had intensified efforts to arrest other members of the syndicate who remain at large, recover additional exhibits connected with the operation and conclude investigations before prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the resident whose timely information made the operation successful.
He described the arrest as another example of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and the importance of cooperation between security agencies and members of the public.
The commissioner encouraged residents to continue providing credible and timely information capable of assisting security agencies in preventing crime across the state.
He assured the public that every actionable intelligence received by the command would continue to attract prompt operational response.
Abimbola also reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo State Police Command to protecting critical national assets, stressing that the state would not be allowed to become a refuge for criminals involved in economic sabotage or other unlawful activities.
