Oyo Police Apprehend Two Suspected Members of Phone and Motorcycle Snatching Ring

Two suspected members of a criminal gang accused of stealing mobile phones and motorcycles from residents have been taken into custody by the Oyo State Police Command. DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, spokesperson for the command, announced the arrests in a statement issued Tuesday, October 13, 2026, noting that early findings tie the gang to crimes spanning Oyo, Osun, and Lagos states. According to the statement, the Oyo State Police Command arrested two individuals believed to belong to a gang that targets unsuspecting members of the public by snatching their mobile phones and motorcycles. Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives carried out a raid on a residence in the Onirerin-Mokola area of Ibadan, the statement said, resulting in the arrest of Timilehin Idowu, a 23-year-old male, and Kudus Agoeo, a 25-year-old male. The statement described the arrests as a notable advance in the Command's continuing campaign to break up criminal networks engaged in street robbery and motorcycle snatching in Ibadan and surrounding areas. During initial questioning, the suspects admitted to specializing in snatching mobile phones and motorcycles, according to the statement, and said they functioned as a three-person gang that used a motorcycle to carry out their operations in Ibadan and in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The statement added that the suspects also gave information suggesting the gang's operations reach across Oyo, Osun, and Lagos states, and provided details about other people tied to the network, including those who handle the sale of stolen goods. Using these disclosures, investigators are following leads to confirm the information gathered, track down and arrest remaining gang members, and recover stolen property, the statement said. The suspects are said to be cooperating with investigators while the investigation continues, and the Command is stepping up efforts to dismantle the whole network and bring anyone found responsible to justice. The two arrested suspects remain in police custody as part of the ongoing investigation. Commissioner of Police for the Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, restated the Command's dedication to intelligence-driven policing and its sustained fight against crime, according to the statement. He thanked members of the public for their ongoing cooperation and called on residents to supply credible, actionable information that can help the Police prevent and detect crime. The Oyo State Police Command gave assurances that it will keep working with relevant stakeholders and the public to safeguard lives and property, break up criminal networks, and uphold peace and security throughout the state.