Oyo Police Intercept Truck with 40 Bags of Concealed Explosives
Oyo Police Intercept Truck with 40 Bags of Concealed Explosives
Oyo State Police Command has successfully intercepted a truck transporting 40 bags of concealed explosives.
The recovery followed a high-stakes, intelligence-led operation conducted in the Sango area of Saki, a region known for its strategic proximity to various transit routes.
The operation reached its climax on the night of January 24, at approximately 11:10 p.m., when security operatives flagged down a suspicious vehicle.
The truck, a DAF model bearing the registration number OGUN SGM 765 XB, was stopped as part of a preemptive strike against the movement of illegal materials through the state.
Following the interception, police identified the driver as 30-year-old Mutairu Yusuf, a resident of Atiru Compound in Chikanda, Kwara State. Yusuf was immediately taken into custody for questioning as officers began a thorough search of the vehicle’s cargo area, which eventually led to the discovery of the dangerous materials.
The 40 bags of explosives were found expertly hidden within the truck to evade detection at routine checkpoints. This level of concealment has raised concerns among authorities regarding the frequency and methods used by individuals to transport hazardous items across state lines under the guise of legitimate haulage.
During preliminary interrogations, the driver provided crucial details regarding the logistics of the trip.
Yusuf claimed that the explosives were loaded onto the truck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and were intended for final delivery to Chikanda, a community located along the border in Kwara State.
To ensure a comprehensive inquiry, a joint investigative team has been mobilized to take over the case. This team comprises experts from the Monitoring Unit and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, who are currently analyzing the chemical composition of the seized items.
The primary objective of the ongoing investigation is to trace the exact source of the explosives in Ibadan and determine their intended end-use. Authorities are working to establish whether the materials were meant for commercial mining activities or if they were linked to more sinister criminal or insurgent elements.
