The Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State on Wednesday arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered stolen items and cash during a stop-and-search operation at the General Gas area of Akobo in Ibadan.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan, identifying the suspects as Abiodun Michael, Olaoluwa Pamole and Ahmed Ismail, while another suspect, Lamidi, remains at large.
Ayanlade explained that officers on patrol at the General Gas area of Akobo intercepted a man riding a motorcycle.
He said the suspect, later identified as Abiodun Michael, tried to escape after noticing the operatives but was quickly chased and arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted taking part in a robbery operation with three accomplices — Olaoluwa Pamole, Ahmed Ismail and Lamidi — during which members of the public were robbed at gunpoint around the Toll Gate and Egbeda areas of Ibadan.
The police spokesperson added that investigations showed the suspect had been on the police watch list for some time and was known to operate along the borders of Lagos State, Ogun State and Oyo State, engaging in armed robbery activities.
“Acting on this information, a team of police operatives, in collaboration with men of the Command Monitoring Unit and led by the Divisional Police Officer, Akobo Division, proceeded to the suspects’ meeting point at Access Hotel, Sawmill, Onipepeye Area, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
“At the scene, Olaoluwa Pamole and Ahmed Ismail were arrested, while the third suspect, Lamidi, is currently at large.
“A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of the following items: One Magnum Pump Action gun with six live cartridges; Mobile phones: iPhone 17, iPhone 15, iPhone 13, iPhone 8, iPhone XR, iPhone 16 Blue, iPhone 14 Pro Max, Tecno Camon, Tecno CKG, Tecno Spark 20, Tecno CM6, and five units of Redmi phones (black).”
Other items recovered include “One Samsung Galaxy S10; One Wi-Fi device; One power bank; One Oraimo radio; Four wristwatches; Cash sum of N130,000.
“The suspects further confessed to being involved in the snatching of a Honda car, ash in colour, in Abeokuta, Ogun State,” he explained.
Ayanlade said the state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, had ordered that the case be transferred to the Command Monitoring Unit for further investigation and prosecution.
“The CP has also ordered that the fleeing suspect be apprehended and prosecuted to face the full weight of the law.
“The Oyo State Police Command commends the swift response, diligence, and professionalism of the operatives whose timely actions led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of stolen items,” he said.
The command also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for his leadership and guidance, which it said continues to strengthen proactive policing across the country.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
“Additionally, any members of the public who have in recent times lost their valuables to robbery in the Egbeda and Toll Gate areas may come forward to the Command Monitoring Unit to claim recovered items, subject to verification of ownership.”
The command also assured residents of its commitment to safeguarding lives and property at all times.
