The Oyo State Police Command has arrested several suspects over alleged grave tampering, possession of a dried human skull, transformer vandalism, impersonation, motorcycle theft and rape in separate operations across the state.
The arrests were announced on Wednesday in a series of press statements signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna.
According to the police, a case of alleged grave tampering was reported in the Itesiwaju Ariyo area of Ibadan in the early hours of December 24, 2025. Residents raised the alarm after spotting a suspicious individual within a residential compound around 1:03 a.m.
Police said a dried human head was later discovered beside a bathroom in the compound, while the grave of a deceased landlady was found to have been tampered with. Although the suspect initially escaped by jumping over a fence, operatives later tracked and arrested him through intelligence-led policing.
The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Hammed Oyeleke. Police confirmed that the exhibit was recovered and that the suspect is cooperating with investigators. CP Haruna subsequently ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, for thorough investigation.
In another incident, the Command arrested two suspects over the alleged vandalisation of a power transformer at Akala Estate, Akobo area of Ibadan. The incident occurred on December 30, 2025, at about 6:30 a.m., when a security guard on patrol spotted a man carrying a bag containing suspected stolen transformer cables and cutting tools.
The suspect, identified as Joshua Israel, was arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime, implicating one Abang Takon, who was later apprehended by operatives of the Akobo Police Division.
Investigations revealed that Takon falsely claimed to be a serving soldier of the Nigerian Army, 2 Division, Odogbo Barracks. Police said he had been dismissed from service and previously prosecuted.
Similarly, another fake soldier was arrested in Ogbomosho over the alleged theft of a motorcycle. Police said the complainant, Adegboyega Sunday, advertised his unregistered Lifan “Phoon Lady” motorcycle for sale on Facebook on December 15, 2025.
The suspect, identified as Lance Corporal Olabamiji Samson (NA: 356241/16), allegedly met the victim dressed in military uniform and rode away with the motorcycle under the guise of testing it. He was later arrested at a restaurant in Ilorin through intelligence-led operations, where he confessed to being a dismissed soldier. The stolen motorcycle and other exhibits were recovered.
In a separate development, police arrested a 22-year-old man, Daniel Ajibola, for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in Ibadan. The incident was reported at the Alakia Adelubi Police Division on December 25, 2025, at about 7:00 p.m.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor after administering an intoxicating drink to her. The victim was taken to a hospital for medical examination, while the suspect was arrested and later confessed to the crime. The case has also been transferred to the SCID for further investigation.
Commending residents for their cooperation, CP Femi Haruna warned that the Command would not tolerate grave desecration, vandalism, impersonation, sexual violence or any other criminal acts in the state.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, reaffirming the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Oyo State.
