A year after three heavy-duty vehicles were allegedly entrusted to a business associate in Ondo town, the dispute has now evolved into a major criminal investigation involving six suspects, multiple arrests across state lines, and allegations of a coordinated fraud scheme worth more than ₦71 million.

The case highlights growing concerns over commercial trust arrangements, asset management disputes, and the challenges law enforcement agencies face in tracking high-value property transactions in Nigeria.

The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested six men in connection with the alleged fraudulent sale and transfer of three heavy-duty vehicles belonging to a businessman in Ondo town.

According to police authorities, the suspects were apprehended in Ibadan, Oyo State, following what investigators described as a painstaking intelligence-led operation.

The suspects identified by the police are Adeola Kolawole, 56; Alhaji Gani Bello, 73; Oladoja Akeem, 56; Wasiu Adigun, 55; Azeez Yusuf, 49; and Ojo Mudasiru, 40.

Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh disclosed that the case was reported on May 22, 2026, by businessman Paul Aderemi of Ayegunle Street, Ondo.

Investigators said preliminary findings indicate that Aderemi purchased three commercial vehicles—a low-loader truck, a tipper truck, and a smaller truck—in May 2025 for approximately ₦71 million.

According to the police account, the vehicles were subsequently entrusted to the principal suspect, Adeola Kolawole, under an agreed arrangement. The situation reportedly changed when the owner allegedly discovered on May 13, 2026, that the vehicles had been sold without his authorization.

The complaint triggered a police investigation that eventually led investigators beyond Ondo State into neighbouring Oyo State.

Police said Kolawole was arrested first and allegedly admitted during interrogation that the vehicles had been sold to another suspect, identified as Alhaji Gani Bello in Ibadan. Authorities claim that information obtained during questioning helped investigators identify and arrest additional suspects believed to have participated in different stages of the transaction.

All six suspects are reported to have made statements to investigators. Police say they will face prosecution once investigations are completed.

Heavy-duty trucks represent significant capital investments in Nigeria's transport, construction, and logistics sectors. With the cost of imported vehicles rising due to currency pressures and inflation, commercial operators are increasingly vulnerable when ownership arrangements rely heavily on personal trust rather than formal legal safeguards.

Cases involving disputed ownership or unauthorized sales of vehicles have become more consequential in recent years because replacement costs have surged dramatically. What might once have been considered a routine commercial disagreement can now translate into losses worth tens of millions of naira.

The allegations also raise questions about due diligence in secondary vehicle markets. Investigators will likely examine whether buyers conducted adequate ownership verification before acquiring the vehicles and whether proper documentation accompanied the transactions.

Legal experts often note that proving criminal intent in such cases can be complex. While police may secure arrests based on preliminary evidence, successful prosecution usually depends on documentary records, transaction histories, witness testimony, and proof that the accused knowingly participated in unauthorized sales.

Commercial vehicle fraud remains a recurring issue across Nigeria's transportation sector, particularly where vehicles are placed under the management or custody of third parties.

The rapid expansion of logistics services, haulage businesses, and construction-related transportation has increased the value of truck fleets nationwide. As a result, ownership disputes involving heavy-duty vehicles frequently attract both civil litigation and criminal investigations.

In many cases, authorities face additional challenges because vehicles can be moved quickly across state boundaries, sold through multiple intermediaries, or transferred using informal agreements that complicate recovery efforts.

The Ondo Police Command's immediate priority appears to be recovering the three vehicles, a development that could significantly influence the direction and strength of any future prosecution.

For investigators, the arrests may represent only the first stage of the case.

Police say efforts are ongoing to locate and recover the three vehicles while uncovering what they describe as the full extent of the alleged conspiracy. The outcome of those recovery efforts could prove critical in establishing how the vehicles moved through the market and who benefited from the transactions.

The real test now will be whether investigators can trace the complete chain of ownership and provide evidence strong enough to support convictions in court. Until then, the allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny as authorities continue their investigation.