The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect and two teenage accomplices believed to be behind a series of armed robberies across the Ibadan metropolis.
Punch reports that the arrest, which took place during a proactive stop-and-search exercise by the Command’s Operations Department, was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
The suspects were caught while travelling in an unregistered tricycle, commonly known as “Keke Maruwa.” Upon stopping the vehicle, officers conducted a thorough search that led to the discovery of a concealed weapon.
The official statement said, “A thorough search of the tricycle led to the recovery of one locally fabricated single-barrel gun, modified into a short arm suitable for concealment. The immediate apprehension of the occupants was a direct result of the vigilance of the operatives and the effectiveness of the stop-and-search strategy.”
The police identified the three suspects as “Abdulrahman Rasheed, male, 19 years old, Biodun Fatai, male, 18 years old and Muiz Salawudeen, male, 18 years old.”
Following their arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, directed that the case be handed over to the Command Monitoring Unit for a more “discreet, professional, and intelligence-driven” investigation.
During interrogation, the trio reportedly admitted to terrorising residents of Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State. Their operations primarily focused on dispossessing citizens of their valuables at gunpoint.
Ayanlade stated, “The suspects confessed to having been involved in several cases of armed robbery in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State. They further admitted to specialising in the snatching of mobile phones and motorcycles, as well as dispossessing residents of their valuables at gunpoint.”
The Command emphasised that this breakthrough is a testament to the synergy between frontline proactive measures and intelligence-led investigations.
The police spokesperson reiterated the Command’s resolve to safeguard the state, noting, “This outcome reinforces the message that the Oyo State Police Command remains committed to the protection of lives and property.
“The Command further appreciates the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his strategic leadership and unwavering support.”
The police confirmed that the suspects remain in custody and are cooperating with ongoing investigations.
“They will be charged to court once the investigation is concluded. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and utilise the state’s emergency toll-free line (615) to report any suspicious activities”, the statement concluded.
Punch
