The Oyo State Police Command has recovered a hijacked DAF tanker truck abandoned in the Ile-Igbon area of the state, following an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected vehicle hijackers operating across state boundaries.

In a statement on Friday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the operation marked “another significant operational success in its sustained campaign against criminality and its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the State.”

According to the Command, operatives acted on credible intelligence, which led to the discovery of the abandoned vehicle, which had reportedly been left unattended for several days.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command recovered a hijacked DAF tanker truck that had been abandoned in the Ile-Igbon area of Oyo State,” the statement said.

The police explained that preliminary investigations indicated the suspects had abandoned the truck after realising they were under surveillance.

“Intelligence further suggests that the criminal elements who had unlawfully taken possession of the truck abandoned it upon realising that security operatives were actively tracking their movement,” it added.

The Command noted that sustained pressure from security operatives made it difficult for the suspects to retain control of the vehicle.

“Unable to retain possession of the vehicle in the face of heightened police pressure and intelligence-led operations, the suspects fled the area in an apparent attempt to evade arrest, leaving the truck behind,” the statement continued.

Following recovery, the tanker was secured and moved into police custody pending further investigation. Authorities said subsequent inquiries confirmed the vehicle was hijacked along the Ijebu-Ode axis of Ogun State by armed criminals.

“The recovered vehicle was promptly secured and taken into police custody pending the conclusion of necessary investigative procedures,” the Command stated.

The driver of the truck later identified the vehicle, confirming it was forcefully taken during the incident. The owner also corroborated the account, stating that the matter had already been reported to the relevant police authorities in Ogun State.

The Command added that it is working with its Ogun State counterpart to ensure proper administrative procedures are completed for the release of the vehicle.

“The Oyo State Police Command is currently working in close collaboration with the Ogun State Police Command to facilitate the necessary administrative procedures for the release of the recovered vehicle to its rightful owner,” the statement noted.

It also confirmed that efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspects.

“While ongoing efforts are being intensified to identify, locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects,” it said.

Reaffirming the Command’s stance on crime prevention, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga, said the Command remains committed to intelligence-driven policing, strategic deployment of operational assets and inter-agency cooperation.

He further urged residents to support security agencies with timely information that could assist crime detection and prevention.

The Command also provided emergency contact numbers, urging the public to report suspicious activity through its toll-free line. (The PUNCH)

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