TWO SUSPECTED FRAUDSTERS ARRESTED IN IBADAN OVER ALLEGED TAXI THEFT, ₦252,500 LOSS

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two men, identified as Gbenga Olubade, 42, and Oluwaseun Adeoye, 50, over their alleged involvement in a taxi-related theft incident in Ibadan.

The suspects were arrested following a confrontation involving a commercial taxi driver and a female passenger at TCTC Junction, Idi Ope, along Eleyele Road, Ibadan, on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

According to a statement issued on Monday, November 9, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the incident came to light after a distress call was received from a concerned citizen at about 9:30 a.m.

Acting on the information, police detectives were immediately deployed to the scene, where the passenger, the driver and another occupant of the vehicle were taken to the station for questioning.

During interrogation, the female complainant narrated that on October 1, 2026, at about 9:50 a.m., she boarded a Micra taxi around Unity Hospital, Eleyele, heading towards Onireke in Ibadan.

However, she alleged that under circumstances she could not explain, she later found herself in the Oje area of the city, where she discovered that her belongings were missing.

The missing items included an iPhone 11 Pro valued at ₦240,000, cash of ₦2,500 and clothing worth ₦10,000, bringing the total alleged loss to ₦252,500.

The complainant said the incident resurfaced on November 4 when she was heading to work and attempting to board a commercial vehicle.

She reportedly sighted the same Micra taxi and recognised two occupants she had encountered during the October incident.

She immediately raised an alarm, attracting the attention of other road users who assisted in apprehending the occupants before handing them over to the police.

The police subsequently identified the suspects as Gbenga Olubade and Oluwaseun Adeoye, aged 42 and 50 respectively.

The Command stated that the suspects’ statements had been obtained during interrogation and that they allegedly confessed to the accusations.

Police authorities have commenced further investigations to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether the suspects may be connected to other similar criminal activities.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant when boarding commercial vehicles, report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that could assist security operatives in identifying and dismantling criminal networks operating across the state.

Residents can report emergencies through the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line, 615, or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.

**Source: Oyo State Police Command.**