The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered goods valued at over N31.75 million following a credible tip-off from the public about 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.
The victim, identified as Ezekiel Inije, was reportedly robbed at gunpoint while transporting agricultural products. The assailants allegedly hijacked a Howo Long truck loaded with 2,000 bags of Karma Agric chicken feeds valued at ₦31.75 million.
Acting on the information, Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, “personally directed the CP Monitoring Unit to swing into immediate action”.
Police said the breakthrough was achieved through timely intelligence provided by members of the public, which enabled operatives to track the suspects to the Oko area of Ogbomoso, where they were apprehended.
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 successful operation comes as the Oyo State Police Command intensifies efforts to combat highway robbery and other criminal activities across the state, with the Commissioner praising public cooperation as key to fighting crime.