Police arrest five suspected armed robbers in Oyo, recover pistol - Punch Newspapers

The suspect. Photo credit: Oyo comand

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate who allegedly confessed to participating in several violent attacks in Ibadan, recovering a locally made pistol and seven live cartridges during the operation. The suspects, identified as Ijo Lekan, 28; Abdulateef Ishola, 26; Idowu Rasheed, 19; Azeez Olalekan, 23; and Seun Adeniran, 24, were arrested at Oke Labo area of Ibadan on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The command disclosed this in a statement signed and released by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Friday, saying detectives attached to the Mapo Divisional Headquarters arrested the suspects following credible intelligence. According to the statement, “The operation, conducted at about 11:16 a.m. on 11th November 2026, followed credible information received by detectives attached to the Mapo Divisional Headquarters.” It added that the detectives acted on the information by moving to the area and searching a building at Oke Labo, where the five suspects were arrested.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources The police said the operation also led to the recovery of “one locally made pistol and seven live cartridges.” Makinde scores Tinubu 34% on performance, backs state police Tinubu, Sultan, six govs expected at Muslim assembly in Oyo Makinde confirms ongoing talks on 2027 opposition alliance Giving details of the suspects’ alleged activities, the command said, “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of an armed robbery syndicate and admitted to participating in several violent attacks and other criminal activities within Ibadan.” The statement added that the suspects were cooperating with investigators and providing information to help track down other members of the group. “They are currently cooperating with investigators, providing useful information to facilitate the identification and arrest of other members of the syndicate and the recovery of additional evidence,” it said. The police, however, said other suspects allegedly connected to the operation remained at large. The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged criminal activities, identify other members of the syndicate and ensure that everyone connected to the crimes was brought to justice. The command reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led policing and efforts to rid the state of illegal firearms and criminal elements, urging residents to provide timely and credible information to the police. Christabel Ndoeche

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