Follow Us on Google
From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of suspected kidnappers and the recovery of firearms in Ilora, Sogidi area, in a coordinated security operation aimed at curbing criminal activities across the state.
According to a press statement issued on Thursday, the breakthrough followed a tip-off from a vigilant resident who noticed a group of young individuals behaving suspiciously within the community. The individual promptly raised an alarm, prompting members of the local vigilante group to intervene.
The vigilante operatives reportedly apprehended one of the suspects at the scene and immediately alerted the police. A joint security team comprising police officers and vigilante members was swiftly deployed to the location, where preliminary questioning of the suspect was conducted.
During interrogation, the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation of his presence in the area. In a bid to evade arrest, he reportedly abandoned a sack bag in his possession and fled into a nearby bush.
Security operatives recovered the abandoned bag and, upon search, discovered a cache of weapons, including a dismantled double-barrel gun, a dismantled single-barrel gun, and six live cartridges.
Following the discovery, the joint team secured the area and launched follow-up operations. Intelligence gathered from the scene led to the identification of a residence linked to one Seriki Abdullahi Bello, 68, which was subsequently searched in accordance with standard investigative procedures.
Other News
The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects identified as Abdullahi Usman, 18; Aliu Ibrahim, 33; and Seriki Abdullahi Bello, 68.
The police confirmed that all suspects are currently in custody and have been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad for further investigation. Authorities say efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices and unravel the full scope of the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the swift collaboration between security agencies and the local resident whose timely report played a critical role in the success of the operation.
He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for continued support and strategic leadership in enhancing operational efficiency across the force.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing, the commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies.
Residents were also encouraged to utilize emergency lines, including the Oyo State Call Response Center (615) and Police Control Room numbers, in reporting suspicious activities.
