The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered goods valued at over N31,750,000 following a credible tip-off from the public on an armed robbery incident along the Coca-Cola area, Asejire in Ibadan.
In a Wednesday statement signed by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, Police Public Relations Officer, operatives arrested the suspects after credible intelligence provided by members of the public, indicating that one Ezekiel Inije was reportedly robbed at gunpoint by a five-man gang.
According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, “personally directed the CP Monitoring Unit to swing into immediate action.”
The statement revealed that the operatives of the command, “leveraging human intelligence, technological know-how, and intelligence-driven policing and investigative expertise,” successfully tracked the syndicate to the Oko area of Ogbomoso, “apprehending three suspects and recovering the stolen items.”
The arrested suspects include a 24-year-old Chigbo Mesoma, a 29-year-old Erondu Wisdom, and a 25-year-old Okechukwu Emmanuel.
The statement reads, “Recovered items include: •One Howo Long vehicle with Lagos registration number AAA 724 YJ, loaded with Two Thousand (2,000) bags of Karma Agric Chicken Feeds valued at Thirty-One Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦31,750,000.00). •One cutlass. •One additional set of Lagos State vehicle number plate LSR 339 XW.”
CP Femi Haruna commended the operatives of the CP Monitoring Unit for their swift response, professionalism, and dedication, which led to the successful operation.
He also expressed appreciation to members of the public whose timely and credible intelligence made this operation possible, stressing that community cooperation remains invaluable in the fight against crime.
The statement added, “The Commissioner further directed that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that the remaining members of the syndicate, notorious for highway robbery and hijacking of goods, are apprehended and prosecuted. The arrested suspects are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and have confessed to their involvement in the armed robbery.”
The Command reassures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to rid the State of armed robbery and other criminal activities, affirming that Oyo State will not be a fertile ground for criminals.
The Command urges residents to provide useful information to the Police, assuring them that all intelligence received will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The Command reiterates its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and to bringing all perpetrators of crime to justice.
