The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a suspected motorcycle thief and two alleged receivers of stolen bikes, recovering seven motorcycles in the process. The operation took place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, when officers from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) made the breakthrough.
Acting on intelligence at around 2:00 p.m., VCRU operatives conducting stop-and-search duties along Ilawe Road in Ado-Ekiti spotted a red Bajaj motorcycle that had been stolen near Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School. Officers pursued and caught the rider, identified as Mustapha Lekan, 38, from Osun State.
When interrogated, Lekan admitted to stealing two motorcycles in the Ado-Ekiti area. His confession guided detectives to Ilogbo-Ekiti and Ido-Ekiti, where they apprehended two suspected receivers of stolen property named Adebiyi Blessing and Ogunbayo Adebiyi.
The arrests led to the recovery of six additional motorcycles suspected to be stolen goods. Combined with the initial bike recovered from Lekan, the total haul reached seven motorcycles.
Police say investigations are continuing to establish the rightful owners of the recovered bikes and identify other members of the suspected theft ring. "The Command remains resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property," the police stated in a brief.
Commissioner of Police Falade Adegoroye Michael praised the VCRU team for their swift action and professional conduct. He stressed that the Command would continue pursuing intelligence-led policing strategies to eliminate criminal activity across the state.
Adegoroye called on residents to keep sharing reliable information with police to strengthen crime-fighting efforts. He warned criminal elements to abandon illegal activities immediately.
"We warn all criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law," according to the commissioner. All suspects face court charges once investigations wrap up, he added.
