Oyo police criminal arrests: suspects linked to kidnapping, ritualism and armed robbery detained in coordinated statewide operations

The Oyo State Police Command on Thursday announced the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, ritualists and armed robbers in a series of coordinated operations across different locations in the state, with exhibits recovered and investigations ongoing.

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Criminal Arrests by Oyo State Police were disclosed by Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga during a press briefing in Ibadan, where he confirmed that the suspects had made confessional statements relating to various offences.

According to Olugbenga, the arrests were made at different times following intelligence-led operations carried out by tactical units of the command, with recovered items including firearms, ammunition, vehicle keys and other incriminating exhibits.

He explained that one of the cases involved the recovery of nine Toyota car keys during investigations into stolen vehicles, which led to the arrest of a suspected receiver identified as Adebayo Muideen.

In another operation, Adeyemi Abiodun was arrested with a pump-action gun, live cartridges, expended ammunition, mobile phones and other valuables, with police stating that he confessed to involvement in multiple armed robbery incidents around Ibadan and its environs.

Further coordinated raids led to the arrest of additional suspects linked to a robbery syndicate operating within the state, following a targeted operation by the Command Monitoring Unit and Akobo Division.

The commissioner also confirmed the arrest of a suspected ritualist, Alfa Egbinola Tijani, at Ogbere Tioya in Ibadan, noting that his confession led to the detention of two additional suspects in separate locations.

In a related development, police said six members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate had earlier been arrested in connection with an attack on a residence in Baabi village near Oyo town, during which dangerous weapons were reportedly used.

Olugbenga assured residents that investigations were ongoing and that all suspects would be charged to court upon completion of legal processes.