IBADAN, OYO STATE – The Oyo State Police Command has arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms, ammunition, and suspected criminal charms during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in Ibadan.
The suspects were apprehended during a raid carried out by operatives of the command in the Gbeku area of Olodo, Ibadan, following credible intelligence reports linking the location to the activities of a notorious criminal syndicate.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Thursday as part of the command’s ongoing efforts to tackle armed robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
The suspects were identified as Ahmed Nafiu, 43; Olukunmi Olaniyi, 36; Femi Odeyinde, 53; Jelili Akinade, 50; and Muhideen Adio, 27.
During a thorough search of the premises, police operatives recovered a pump-action gun, a cut-to-size single-barrel firearm, eight live cartridges, a native bulletproof vest, bottles containing suspected charm-induced substances, and several traditional charms believed to have been used in criminal activities.
Police authorities disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate the suspects may be members of a larger criminal network involved in armed robbery operations within Oyo State and neighboring areas.
Speaking on the development, DSP Ayanlade said the successful operation highlights the importance of intelligence gathering and community cooperation in the fight against crime.
The command remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property. We will continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to identify, apprehend, and prosecute criminal elements operating within the state,” he stated.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with ongoing inquiries aimed at uncovering additional members of the syndicate and their alleged criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the officers involved in the operation and reiterated the command’s determination to rid Oyo State of criminal elements.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that public support remains a critical factor in maintaining security and preventing crime.
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