The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected railway vandals and recovered stolen rail tracks valued at approximately N200 million in a major operation against economic sabotage.
The suspects, identified as Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22, were intercepted on July 14, 2026, in Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State, following a tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.
Police operatives recovered the vandalised rail tracks and a HOWO truck with registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used to transport the stolen items.
Preliminary investigations 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 as the intended final destination.
The suspects played distinct roles in the syndicate: one as the contracted driver, another as a coordinator, and a third who provided temporary storage in Ogbomoso.
Commissioner of Police CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga commended the public for their timely information and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure.