The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a suspected motorcycle thief alongside two alleged receivers of stolen property, recovering seven motorcycles in what authorities described as another major breakthrough against vehicle theft in the state.
The operation, carried out by officers of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), followed intelligence that led to the arrest of the prime suspect and the dismantling of part of an alleged motorcycle theft network.
Suspect Arrested After Attempted Escape
According to the police, the arrest took place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m., while VCRU operatives were conducting a stop-and-search operation along Ilawe Road in Ado-Ekiti.
Officers reportedly received credible intelligence that a suspect had stolen a red Bajaj motorcycle near Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School and was attempting to escape through Ilawe Road.
The patrol team quickly intercepted the motorcycle, pursued the suspect, and successfully arrested him after a brief chase.
Police identified the suspect as Mustapha Lekan, a 38-year-old man from Osun State. The stolen motorcycle was recovered immediately after his arrest.
Investigation Uncovers More Stolen Motorcycles
During interrogation, police said the suspect confessed to stealing two motorcycles within Ado-Ekiti.
The confession prompted detectives to launch follow-up operations in Ilogbo-Ekiti and Ido-Ekiti, where two additional suspects believed to be involved in receiving stolen motorcycles were arrested.
The suspects were identified as:
- Adebiyi Blessing
- Ogunbayo Adebiyi
Subsequent searches led officers to recover six more motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, increasing the total number of recovered motorcycles to seven.
Police believe the arrests may expose a wider motorcycle theft and resale syndicate operating within and beyond Ekiti State.
Police Continue Hunt for Other Suspects
The Ekiti State Police Command said investigations are still ongoing to identify the rightful owners of the recovered motorcycles and track down other members of the suspected criminal network.
Authorities urged anyone who recently lost a motorcycle in the state to cooperate with investigators as efforts continue to reunite victims with their property.
Commissioner Praises Officers, Warns Criminals
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Michael, praised the VCRU team for their swift response, professionalism, and dedication to tackling crime across the state.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and vowed that security agencies would continue intensifying efforts to rid Ekiti of criminal activities.
The police commissioner also appealed to residents to keep providing credible and timely information that could assist law enforcement in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.
He warned that individuals involved in criminal activities should either abandon such acts or be ready to face the full consequences of the law.
According to the Command, all suspects will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.
