The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a trailer driver who allegedly absconded with his employer’s vehicle and four other suspects in connection with what investigators described as a suspected trailer-dismantling syndicate.

The command said the operation led to the recovery of parts of the stolen trailer, including the trailer head, while investigations uncovered an alleged criminal network specialising in dismantling stolen trailers and disposing of their components.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the case began after the owner of the trailer reported at the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters that his driver had disappeared with the vehicle on June 6, 2026.

According to the police, repeated efforts by the owner to locate the driver and recover the trailer were unsuccessful before the matter was reported.

Babaseyi said detectives from the Ifo Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, launched an intelligence-led investigation and deployed technical resources to track the suspect.

The image maker said the fleeing driver, identified as Temitope Omotayo Odulaja, 47, was arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos State, on July 24.

He added information obtained from him led detectives to Ijebu-Ode, where four additional suspects were arrested the following day.

Those arrested were identified as Segun Suleiman, 27; Haruna Olaogun, 49; Jimoh Wasiu, 42; and Quazzim Suleiman, 49.

The police alleged that they were involved in conspiracy, stealing, and receiving stolen property.

According to the command, preliminary investigations indicated that the trailer had been dismantled shortly after it was stolen and its parts unlawfully disposed of.

He noted that detectives have so far recovered parts of the vehicle, including the trailer head, while photographs of the dismantled trailer have been taken as exhibits.

The police said efforts were ongoing to recover the remaining parts of the trailer, identify and arrest other suspected members of the syndicate, establish the full scope of its operations, and recover additional exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives for what he described as their professionalism, diligence, and intelligence-driven approach.

Ojajuni said the arrests and recovery underscored the command’s commitment to tackling organised vehicle theft and dismantling criminal networks operating in the state.

He urged transport operators, fleet owners, logistics companies, and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, and activities to the police.

The commissioner assured residents that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing and proactive security measures to safeguard lives and property, adding that all suspects found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.