The Osun State Police Command has arrested three men after recovering five bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp from a Toyota Sienna Space Bus allegedly abandoned along the Moro-Ife Road in Moro Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on August 30, 2026, by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Team E, during a routine patrol along the road.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the operatives discovered a silver-coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number BGT 81 OLG, which had reportedly broken down and was abandoned by the roadside.
Suspicious of the vehicle, the officers conducted an inspection.
Ojelabi said the driver of the Sienna, identified as 38-year-old Awo Omotayo, later arrived at the scene in a red Nissan Cabstar with registration number EPE 299 YJ. The truck was driven by 22-year-old Abayomi Suleiman and was also occupied by Oluwatayo Samuel.
The three men were reportedly at the scene to tow the abandoned Sienna when police operatives searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered five bags containing weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
“A search was conducted by operatives on the said Sienna Space Bus, during which some bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were discovered inside the vehicle,” Ojelabi said.
The suspects were immediately arrested, while the suspected illicit substance and both vehicles were taken into police custody for further investigation.
During interrogation, Omotayo allegedly told investigators that a man identified only as “Baba Ibo,” said to operate around Garage Olode in Osun State, had contracted him to transport the consignment to Ogbomoso in Oyo State.
According to the police spokesman, Omotayo further claimed that “Baba Ibo” had the contact details of the person expected to receive the suspected substance in Ogbomoso.
The police said the identity and whereabouts of the alleged “Baba Ibo” had yet to be established, while efforts were ongoing to arrest him and uncover other persons who may be connected to the suspected trafficking operation.
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, has directed investigators to intensify efforts to trace the source and intended recipient of the suspected illicit substance.
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, has directed that discreet investigation be intensified to unravel the source and intended recipient of the suspected illicit substance,” Ojelabi said.
The command also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in apprehending fleeing suspects and tackling the trafficking of prohibited substances.
