The Oyo State Police Command has arrested several suspected kidnappers, ritualists, and armed robbers across Oyo State.
The command said the suspects were arrested at different times and locations within the state, with various items recovered from them as evidence.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo, Abimbola Olugbenga, disclosed this while speaking at a press conference in Ibadan on Thursday. He added that many of the suspects had confessed to their crimes.
He also noted that investigations are ongoing to arrest more suspects, and those already in custody will be charged to court after investigations are completed.
According to him:
“On 24th February, 2026, a case involving removal of vehicles from where parked was transferred from Ojoo Division to the Monitoring Unit of the Oyo State Police Command with one Adegboyega Joseph as a suspect. During the investigation, nine (9) Toyota car keys were recovered as exhibits. Further discreet investigation later led to the arrest of one suspected receiver who identified himself as Adebayo Muideen.”
The police also arrested another suspect, Adeyemi Abiodun, from whom a pump-action gun, six live cartridges, two expended cartridges, phones, and other valuables were recovered.
He said:
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being part of a series of armed robbery operations carried out at different locations within Ibadan and its environs.”
Following this, a joint team of officers from the Command Monitoring Unit and Akobo Division raided a criminal hideout and arrested three other suspects: Olaoluwa Ponle, Ahmed Ismaila, and Gbolabo Adisa.
The police also arrested a suspected ritualist, Alfa Egbinola Tijani, on April 14, 2026, in the Ogbere Tioya area of Ibadan. His confession led to the arrest of two others, Alawiye Lateef Abaniseloluwa Abass and Kehinde Ajao, at different locations in the city.
In another case, Olugbenga revealed that on January 20, 2026, six members of a kidnapping syndicate armed with AK-47 rifles, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons attacked the residence of one Supodu Saheed at Baabi village via Oyo town.
Police say efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal groups and ensure they are brought to justice.
