Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested a commercial vehicle driver after suspected human parts were found concealed in passengers’ luggage during a routine stop‑and‑search along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The discovery has triggered a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and possible criminal links.
According to a statement by DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, the red cloth containing bones and other items believed to be parts of a human corpse was recovered from luggage in a commercial vehicle near Guru Maharaji Village, a busy transit point along the expressway.
The driver, identified as Kazeem Ayegbo, was travelling from Lagos State to Osogbo in Osun State when officers intercepted his vehicle during the routine security operation.
Ayanlade stated that officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol team initiated the stop‑and‑search as part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities on major highways across the region. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the red cloth with the suspected human remains hidden among passengers’ luggage.
The police spokesperson said that the investigation has now expanded beyond Oyo State to determine the origin and intended destination of the recovered items and to identify other persons who may be connected with the alleged offence.
The suspect was immediately taken into custody, and the police assured the public that he would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The command emphasised that the matter is being handled with professionalism and diligence, with officers working to establish the full context of the discovery.
Ayanlade also reiterated the police commitment to sustained highway patrols and routine checks to deter and detect criminal conduct.
The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway is one of the busiest commercial corridors linking southwestern Nigeria’s major cities. Incidents involving concealed items or illicit activities on this route have previously drawn significant attention due to implications for public safety and law enforcement capacity.
Law enforcement agencies regularly conduct stop‑and‑search operations along the expressway as part of broader efforts to reduce highway crimes such as smuggling, kidnapping, and trafficking.
The discovery of suspected human parts raises important questions about criminal networks, the transport of illicit goods, and highway security systems.
Authorities will likely pursue forensic analysis of the recovered remains and interrogate the suspect to determine whether he acted alone or on behalf of a larger syndicate. Establishing the origin of the items and the intended recipient or purpose will be central to forthcoming legal actions.
Community members and commuters on the expressway have expressed concern over the disturbing discovery, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures and public awareness.
Effective coordination between federal and state security outfits, investment in surveillance technologies, and public cooperation with law enforcement remain vital to addressing criminal activities on critical transport routes and safeguarding travellers.
