Oyo police arrest suspect, recover pistol, drugs during stop-and-search

By Faheem Lawal

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested a suspect and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a live cartridge and suspected illicit drugs during a stop-and-search operation in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2026, when operatives attached to the Bodija Housing Police Division intercepted a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number DTN 678 QA carrying three male occupants along Oshuntokun Avenue, Bodija.

According to the police, during the search, one of the suspects threw a small bag into a nearby drainage, while two others fled the scene on the motorcycle.

The third suspect, identified as Hammed Lateef, was immediately arrested by the operatives.

A search of the discarded bag led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge, sachets containing substances suspected to be Tramadol, as well as a passport photograph believed to belong to one of the fleeing suspects.

The police said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into the incident have commenced.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-led policing aimed at safeguarding lives and property across the state.

He also urged residents to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information that would aid in the prevention and detection of crime.