The Osun State Police Command has arrested three men and recovered five bags of weed suspected to be Indian hemp concealed inside an abandoned Toyota Sienna Space Bus along the Moro-Ife Road in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on August 30, 2026, at about 1:30pm by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Team E, during a routine patrol along the road.
According to a statement by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, issued by the Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the operatives spotted a silver-coloured Toyota Sienna Space Bus with registration number BGT 81 OLG, which had reportedly broken down and been abandoned by the roadside.
The officers reportedly became suspicious and inspected the vehicle before Awo Omotayo, 38, who identified himself as its driver, arrived in a red Nissan Cabstar, with registration number EPE 299 YJ, to tow the Sienna.
He was accompanied by Abayomi Suleiman, 22, who was driving the Cabstar, and Oluwatayo Samuel.
A search of the Sienna by the operatives led to the discovery of bags containing weed suspected to be Indian hemp inside the vehicle.
The three men were subsequently arrested, while the suspected illicit substance, the Sienna Space Bus and the Nissan Cabstar were recovered and taken to the command headquarters for investigation.
During interrogation, Omotayo allegedly told investigators that a man identified as “Baba Ibo”, whose real name remained unknown, had engaged him to transport the suspected illicit substance to Ogbomoso in Oyo State.
The police said Omotayo also disclosed that “Baba Ibo”, who allegedly operates around Garage Olode in Osun State, had the contact details of the intended recipient of the consignment in Ogbomoso.
The Commissioner of Police directed that the investigation be intensified to establish the source and intended recipient of the suspected illicit substance.
The command also said efforts were ongoing to arrest “Baba Ibo” and other persons linked to the case.
The police urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in apprehending fleeing suspects and tackling the illicit trafficking of prohibited substances.
