The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended a 19-year-old man and two teenage accomplices suspected to be responsible for a string of armed robbery attacks within the Ibadan metropolis.
The arrest followed a proactive stop-and-search operation conducted by the Operations Department of the Command and was confirmed in a statement released on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
The suspects were intercepted while riding in an unregistered tricycle, popularly referred to as Keke Maruwa. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a hidden firearm.
According to the statement, “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.”
Police identified the suspects as “Abdulrahman Rasheed, male, 19 years old, Biodun Fatai, male, 18 years old and Muiz Salawudeen, male, 18 years old.”
Following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, ordered the transfer of the case to the Command Monitoring Unit for a more “discreet, professional, and intelligence-driven” investigation.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted to carrying out several robbery operations across Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, targeting residents 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 noted that the arrest underscores the effectiveness of combining visible policing with intelligence-led strategies.
Reaffirming the police’s commitment to public safety, the spokesperson said, “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.”
Police confirmed that the suspects are still in custody and assisting investigators.
“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.
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