Two suspects, including a 64-year-old man, are now in the custody of the Oyo State Police Command for alleged theft of 24 barrels of 240 litres of diesel valued at ₦12,000,000.

According to the Oyo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement on Saturday, the two suspects, Yusuf Mutiyat (F), 43 years old, and Ogunniyan Rasheed (M), 64 years, were intercepted while allegedly siphoning diesel from a mixer truck.

He disclosed that investigations continue to determine the full extent of the theft and to identify any other individuals involved.

“Acting on credible intelligence and with the timely cooperation of members of the public, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit intercepted Yusuf Mutiyat (F), 43 years old, and Ogunniyan Rasheed (M), 64 years old, at Kopek Construction Company, Ibadan, where they were engaged in siphoning liquid substances suspected to be diesel from a mixer truck,” he said.

The PPRO added, “Subsequent searches led to the recovery of various items suspected of being stolen or received in connection with criminal activity, valued at millions of naira, including 24 barrels of 240 litres of liquid suspected to be diesel (approximately 10,000 litres), with an estimated value of ₦12,000,000.”

“The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to determine the full extent of the theft and to identify any other individuals involved”.

DSP Ayanlade stressed that the command equally acknowledges the critical support of members of the public, “whose vigilance and timely intelligence were instrumental in achieving this outcome, enabling the swift interception of the suspects and recovery of stolen property, thereby preventing further losses”.

Emphasising that the Command is committed to safeguarding lives and property and calling on the public to continue providing actionable intelligence to assist in the fight against crime, he said, “For emergencies, contact: Oyo State Call Response Center Toll-Free Line: 615; Oyo State Police Command Control Room: 08081768614 & 07055495413.”