The Ondo State Police Command has intensified its clampdown on motorcycle theft across the state, arresting suspected criminals and recovering stolen motorcycles in a series of coordinated operations.
The Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said the operations underscore its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding lives and property.
In a statement on Sunday, the police said operatives attached to the Funbi-Fagun Division arrested a 28-year-old suspect, identified as Joseph James, on April 9, 2026, at about 4:30am.
The suspect was intercepted in the Sabo area of Ondo while allegedly attempting to move a stolen black Boxer motorcycle valued at about ₦500,000. The motorcycle was reported stolen a day earlier.
According to the Command, the arrest was made following credible intelligence provided by a security guard, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend an accomplice who fled the scene.
In a separate operation on April 22, operatives responded to a report of motorcycle theft in Akure, where a resident, Olowolafe, of Araromi Street, reported the disappearance of his red Boxer motorcycle.
Acting on intelligence, police tracked and arrested one Raji Akeem in Shasha while allegedly attempting to dispose of the stolen motorcycle.
The suspect was said to have been assaulted by an angry mob before police intervention and is currently receiving medical attention in custody.
The recovered motorcycle has been secured as an exhibit.
In another development, police operatives of the Enu Owa Division arrested one Adedigba Adeola in connection with a case of fraudulent dispossession of a commercial motorcyclist, Jolayemi Ahmed.
The suspect was alleged to have hired the victim’s motorcycle under the guise of a trip in October 2025 before disappearing with it.
He was arrested on April 18, 2026, and later confessed to the crime, revealing that the stolen motorcycle was hidden in an uncompleted building for days before being sold to one Danjuma Gideon.
The Command said efforts are ongoing to recover the motorcycle and arrest other suspects linked to the crime.
Police authorities noted that the cases highlight evolving tactics used by criminals, including deception and quick resale of stolen items. In response, the Command said it has strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance, and patrols across identified crime-prone areas.
The Commissioner of Police commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and swift response, while also appreciating the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for strategic leadership.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, assuring the public of continued efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.