The Oyo State Police Command on Saturday announced the arrest of five suspected armed robbers and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and other criminal charms at Gbeku Area, Olodo, in Egbeda Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, all males, include Ahmed Nafiu, 43; Olukunmi Olaniyi, 36; Femi Odeyinde, 53; Jelili Akinade, 50; and Muhideen Adio, 27.
Recovered exhibits include one pump-action gun, one single-barrel cut-to-size gun, eight live cartridges, one native bullet-proof vest, two bottles of suspected charm-induced syrup, assorted charms, and other incriminating items.
This was contained in a statement released by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, in Ibadan.
The PUNCH reports that four suspected armed robbers cum cultists were also arrested with a locally made pistol at their hideout in Soka, Oluyole Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday, June 10.
Ayanlade said intelligence reports revealed that the suspects were planning to embark on another criminal operation within the community from their hideout.
The suspects, identified as Salawu Sarafa alias Folori, Yusuf Tajudeen alias Blacky, Farouq Ariyo, and Adebayo Awosemo alias Naira, were said to have confirmed their membership of the Eiye Supremo Confraternity.
However, the PPRO, in another statement on Saturday, explained that operatives, acting on credible intelligence and in furtherance of ongoing intelligence-led operations against violent crimes, stormed the residence of one Surajudeen Babatunde Adio, popularly known as “Surii Ilupeju,” at Gbeku Area, Olodo, on Friday, June 12, 2026.
He added that a thorough search conducted during the operation led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the exhibits.
The statement read:
“The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.
“On June 12, 2026, at about 0100hrs, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence and in furtherance of ongoing intelligence-led operations against violent crimes, stormed the residence of one Surajudeen Babatunde Adio, popularly known as ‘Surii Ilupeju,’ located at Gbeku Area, Olodo, Ibadan.
“During the operation, five suspected members of a criminal syndicate were apprehended. The suspects are: Ahmed Nafiu, male, 43 years; Olukunmi Olaniyi, male, 36 years; Femi Odeyinde, male, 53 years; Jelili Akinade, male, 50 years; and Muhideen Adio, male, 27 years.
“A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of the following exhibits: one pump-action gun; one single-barrel cut-to-size gun; eight live cartridges; one native bullet-proof vest; two bottles of suspected charm-induced syrup; and assorted charms and other incriminating items.
“The suspects are currently in police custody while discreet investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of their involvement in criminal activities and to apprehend other members of the syndicate who may still be at large,” the statement explained.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the state.
He assured residents that intelligence-led operations and targeted raids of identified criminal hideouts would continue until all criminal elements are brought to justice.
Abimbola also urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Cc : Punch