Police arrest three suspected drug dealers, recover bags of Indian hemp

The Osun State Police Command has arrested three men and recovered five bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp from an abandoned Toyota Sienna space bus along the Moro–Ife Road in the Moro Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Awo Omotayo, 38, the driver of the Sienna; Abayomi Suleiman, 22, the driver of a Nissan Cabstar tow truck; and Oluwatayo Samuel, who accompanied Suleiman to tow the broken-down vehicle.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU), Team E, made the discovery at about 1:30 p.m. on August 30, 2026, while on routine patrol along the Moro–Ife Road.

Ojelabi said a search of the Sienna led to the discovery of five bags containing weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

He stated, “On 30th August 2026, at about 1330hrs, a team of police operatives from the Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU), Team E, while on routine patrol along the Moro–Ife Road, came across a silver-coloured Toyota Sienna space bus with registration number BGT 81 OLG, which had broken down and was abandoned by the roadside.”

“The operatives noticed that something was amiss, which prompted them to investigate. Subsequently, one Awo Omotayo ‘m’, aged 38 years, who identified himself as the driver of the faulty vehicle, arrived at the scene in a red Nissan Cabstar with registration number EPE 299 YJ, driven by Abayomi Suleiman ‘m’, aged 22 years, and accompanied by one Oluwatayo Samuel ‘m’, to tow the Sienna.”

“A search was conducted by operatives on the Sienna, during which bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were discovered inside the vehicle.”

“The suspects were immediately arrested, and the exhibits alongside the vehicles were impounded and taken to the Command for discreet investigation.”

“During interrogation, Awo Omotayo, the driver of the Sienna, stated that one ‘Baba Ibo’, whose real identity is yet to be ascertained and who operates around Garage Olode, Osun State, hired him to convey the illicit substance to Ogbomoso, Oyo State.”

He further stated that one Baba Ibo had the contact details of the intended recipient in Ogbomoso.

“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, psc(+), mnips, has directed that a discreet investigation be intensified to unravel the source and intended recipient of the illicit substance. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Baba Ibo and any other accomplices.”

“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information that could assist in apprehending fleeing suspects and combating the illicit trafficking of prohibited substances within the state.”