The Osun State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old suspected hoodlum, Adedeji Saheed Opeyemi, following a gun battle between armed hoodlums and security operatives in the Oke-Ijetu area of Osogbo.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday while highlighting recent operational successes recorded by the command.
The police boss recalled that the incident stemmed from a protest by a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on July 20, following allegations that its members were denied access to a motor park by a rival faction, a development that escalated into violent clashes in parts of Osogbo.
According to him, police operatives responded swiftly to the unrest and restored normalcy before another security breach was reported later that day.
“At about 5:30 p.m. of the same date, a distress call was received by the Command that there was a group of hoodlums shooting sporadically at Oke-Ijetu Area, Osogbo,” Gotan said.
He explained that operatives of the Anti-Robbery and Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) immediately mobilised to the scene but came under attack from the armed hoodlums, who were suspected to be members of a faction loyal to one Wakili Alowonle.
“On getting to the scene, the hoodlums suspected to be faction of one Wakili Alowonle started shooting at the police operatives, where three security operatives sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and are responding to treatment at the hospital,” the Commissioner said.
Despite the attack, Gotan said the officers overpowered the suspects and arrested Opeyemi during the operation.
The police commissioner further disclosed that the suspect made useful confessional statements while being interrogated.
“The suspect confessed that he was informed by one Sibi that he had received a call from Alowonle that they should meet at Oke-Ijetu Area, Osogbo. He also stated that Sibi came with two pump-action guns and handed one over to him,” he said.
According to Gotan, the suspect is currently assisting investigators with information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing members of the group.
The police recovered six expended cartridges, four vehicles, four motorcycles, military camouflage uniforms and suspected criminal charms during the operation.
The Commissioner said investigations were ongoing, adding that Opeyemi would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
He also appealed to residents of the state to support security agencies with credible and timely information.
“The public should give prompt and credible information to the police. They should also be alert to what is happening around them and report any suspicious movement to security agencies,” Gotan said.