Odita Sunday 
Police Foil Bid to Smuggle Stolen Company Bus to Benin Republic, Arrest Driver, Guarantor
By Odita Sunday
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have foiled an attempt to smuggle a stolen company bus across the Nigerian border into the Benin Republic, arresting a driver and his guarantor allegedly involved in the plot.
The suspects, identified as Seun Lawal, 46, and Ademola Oriyomi, 38, were apprehended by officers attached to the Idiroko Division following intelligence reports that they were preparing to move a stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus out of the country for illegal disposal.
According to the police, the vehicle had earlier been declared stolen in Lagos before it was traced to the Babaloke area of Idiroko, Ogun State.
The operation, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Adejuwon Ariyo, was launched after credible intelligence received at about 11:00 p.m. on June 12, 2026, revealed that the suspects had positioned the bus near the border and were making arrangements to move it into the Benin Republic under false pretences.
Acting on the tip-off, Ariyo mobilised a surveillance team to the area, where the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to execute the cross-border movement.
In a tactical move to prevent the vehicle from escaping, police operatives shot one of the tyres of the bus, immobilising it and successfully stopping it from crossing the international border.
The operation led to the arrest of the two suspects and the recovery of the stolen 28-seater Toyota Coaster bus.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that Lawal, a driver, allegedly conspired with Oriyomi, his guarantor, to steal and sell the vehicle in the Benin Republic.
The suspects reportedly admitted that the proceeds from the planned sale were intended to fund their relocation after carrying out the illegal transaction.
Police authorities said the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue to determine whether they are linked to a wider cross-border vehicle theft syndicate.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism, vigilance and tactical precision displayed by CSP Ariyo and the operatives of the Idiroko Division.
He noted that the intelligence-driven operation ensured the successful interception, demobilisation and recovery of the stolen vehicle.
The police commissioner also reiterated the command’s commitment to proactive policing, enhanced border security and sustained efforts aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of operation within Ogun State and its border corridors.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities and movements to security agencies.
For emergencies and credible information, residents were advised to contact the Ogun State Police Command through the Gateway Shield toll-free line: 0800 000 9111, or emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369 and 0708 497 2994.
About the Author
