Crime

Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists in Oyo

By Web News 177

By Abisola Oluremi

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered a firearm and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Oyo Town.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

According to the statement, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit apprehended the suspects, identified as Oparemi Kabiru, also known as “Ikebe”, and Fasasi Taofeek, popularly called “Buffalo”, at their hideout in the Oke-Apo area of the town.

DSP Ayanlade said a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and two live cartridges.

He added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were alleged members of the Eiye Supremo Confraternity and reportedly confessed to involvement in several violent criminal activities within Oyo Town and neighbouring communities.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, described the arrest as a demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community collaboration.

Mr Abimbola urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring them of the command’s commitment to combating cultism, armed violence and other criminal activities across the state.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

Family Seeks Help to pay ₦15 Million Ransom

By Web News 200

By Abisola Oluremi

The Taofeek Adeleke family has appealed to the government, well-meaning individuals, and organizations for assistance in raising the ransom demanded by kidnappers who abducted their son, Olayemi Adeleke, last Saturday.

The head of the family, Mr Taofeek Adeleke, explained that the abductors are demanding the sum of 15 million naira for the release of Olayemi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Alapinnu Community along Ogunmakin Road in Ibadan at about 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Narrating the incident, Mr Adeleke explained that the victim was alone at home when he noticed armed men attempting to force their way into the fenced compound.

His attempt to escape proved unsuccessful as the kidnappers eventually caught up with him and whisked him away.

Some neighbours in the area also confirmed hearing gunshots during the incident, which forced residents to flee for safety.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO of the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, told newsmen that the command is making concerted efforts to ensure the safe rescue of the victim.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

Six Suspects Linked to Oyo School Kidnap Arrested

By Web News 400

By Abisola Oluremi

Security operatives in Oyo State have arrested six suspects for allegedly aiding the gunmen behind the abduction of schoolchildren and the killing of two teachers and a commercial motorcyclist in Oriire Local Government Area.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this during a telephone interview with Radio Nigeria.

DSP Ayanlade said the arrests followed intelligence reports linking the suspects to the attackers who carried out the assault last Friday in the Ahoro-Esiele community.

According to him, the suspects allegedly acted as informants for the kidnappers, maintaining phone communication with the armed group before and after the incident.

Police sources revealed that some of the conversations focused on movement routes and possible hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park axis, believed to have been used by the criminals to evade arrest.

The police added that intelligence gathered from the phone exchanges played a crucial role in tracking down members of the suspected network during coordinated raids across multiple locations.

DSP Ayanlade said the suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators with useful information.

He assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects linked to the attack.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

We are still analyzing viral kidnapper video – Oyo Police

By Web News 285

By Abisola Oluremi

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has commenced a comprehensive examination of the video circulating on social media in connection with the recent kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen that the footage is currently undergoing detailed forensic analysis to determine its authenticity and to support ongoing investigations.

According to the PPRO, the process is expected to aid rescue operations and assist security agencies in identifying and arresting those responsible for the heinous act.

Mr Ayanlade reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe return of all abducted persons to their families.

He noted that intensive operational, intelligence-driven, and tactical efforts are ongoing in collaboration with other security agencies to secure the victims unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

Police Arrest Sixteen Suspected Cultists

By Web News 203

By Abisola Oluremi

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested sixteen suspected cult members during a coordinated operation at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. 

According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the action followed credible intelligence that suspected members of the Aiye Confraternity planned a meeting within the institution, prompting swift intervention to prevent a possible breach of peace.

The statement notes that after obtaining approval from the school authorities, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola personally led the team to a location identified as the group’s alleged gathering point on campus. 

It points out that the officers carried out the operation without incident and arrested fourteen males and two females.

The statement adds that preliminary findings show that some of the suspects were already on the command’s watch list over alleged links to murder cases and other cult-related activities across the state.

Items recovered from them included two locally made cut-to-size guns, two pistols, sixteen live cartridges, four axes, and assorted charms.

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Security

Oyo CP Hails Olubadan over Security Initiative

By Web News 400

By Abisola Oluremi

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, has met with stakeholders on security in Ibadan land, including Mogajis, traditional leadership representatives, and members of the Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative.

In a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the delegation was led by the president of all Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, Coordinator of the Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade and Head of all Baales in Ibadanland, Baale F. D. Ige.

At the meeting, the stakeholders commended the command for its swift response to distress calls and sustained collaboration with community structures to maintain peace and security.

They explained that the Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative, which was recently established by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was to complement the intelligence network of the Nigeria Police Force by providing credible, timely, and actionable information to support policing operations. 

In his response, Mr Abimbola appreciated the initiative and commended Oba Ladoja for his continued support for security collaboration in the state. 

He praised the Mogajis for fostering peace and cooperation between traditional institutions and security agencies, reiterating that effective policing thrives on trust, partnership, and timely intelligence sharing.

A highlight of the engagement was the “Know Your DPO” segment, during which the contact details of Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders were shared with the Mogajis and operatives within their respective jurisdictions. 

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

Police Arrest Notorious Kidnapper, Recover AK-47 Rifle

By Web News 499

By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a suspected notorious kidnapper and the recovery of a firearm following a coordinated, intelligence-led security operation in the Ikoyi-Ile area of the state.

A statement signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the breakthrough followed credible information from a vigilant member of the public who reported the movement of three armed men seen around forests and farmlands in the community.

The suspects were reportedly armed with an AK-47 rifle and other dangerous weapons.

Acting swiftly on the tip-off, a joint team of operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ikoyi-Ile Division carried out a thorough search of the surrounding bushes.

The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, identified as Muhammadu Abubakar, from whom an AK-47 rifle with breech number 6628/2274, six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and three live cartridges were recovered.

The suspect reportedly confessed to involvement in a series of kidnapping activities along the Ogbomoso and Ikoyi-Ile axis.

Police said he had earlier been on the command’s watch list and is linked to several cross-border criminal operations.

He has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

Police Arrest Three over Abduction at CRIN

By Web News 308

By Abisola Oluremi

Three suspects in connection with Wednesday kidnapping at the headquarters of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, have been arrested. 

The Police Public Relations Officer of Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement, says security operatives engaged the suspected kidnappers and successfully rescued two male victims who are members of the Ogun State Chapter of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria. 

The incident had earlier prompted a swift joint response by operatives of the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilante groups, and the Amotekun Corps.

The victims were reportedly abducted by armed men while at the CRIN nursery site to submit annual cocoa seedling collections for the 2026 planting season.

DSP Ayanlade explained that efforts were ongoing to rescue other victims as security operatives have intensified bush combing operations in pursuit of the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, one of the rescued victims, a former Chairman of the association whose name was withheld, recounted that they had just left the cocoa nursery section in their bus when they heard gunshots.

He said before the driver could reverse, the kidnappers surrounded the bus, ordered them to alight, and marched them into the bush.

The elderly man explained that after trekking for about forty minutes, the abductors noticed he was slowing them down, and he was released.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

Police Foil Kidnapping, Rescue Victim Hours after Abduction

By Web News 415

By Abisola Oluremi

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has rescued a man identified as Haruna Lawal, a few hours after he was kidnapped in Olorunda Village, Oyo State.

The command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.

DSP Ayanlade said the swift rescue was made possible through the coordinated response of police operatives and the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property.

According to her, the command received a distress call at about ten minutes past two on Saturday morning from the victim’s sister, Alimot, who reported that suspected kidnappers armed with dangerous weapons had invaded her brother’s residence.

She said the assailants abducted Haruna Lawal and fled with his motorcycle to an unknown destination.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Haruna, police operatives were immediately deployed to the area, launching an aggressive bush-combing and patrol operation.

The patrol team, with sirens activated, forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee, leading to his rescue alive.

The victim sustained a head injury during the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment at the General Hospital, Oyo.

DSP Ayanlade added that efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigations into the case are ongoing.

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Crime

Gunmen Kill Police Officer, Kidnap Expat in Oyo

By Web News 576

By Abisola Oluremi

A police officer has been confirmed dead following an attack by suspected gunmen on a company’s at Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, in Oyo State.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo State Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the attackers stormed the facility in a commando-style operation, leading to a gun battle with security personnel attached to the company.

DSP Ayanlade said the police officer was fatally shot while repelling the attack, while some of the assailants were believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.

Despite the resistance, the gunmen abducted a Chinese expatriate, described as a principal officer of the company, before fleeing the scene.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr Femi Haruna, has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to deploy the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical teams to the area.

The police said bush-combing operations were ongoing, while investigations had been intensified to rescue the abducted expatriate and arrest those responsible for the attack.

In a related development, the command also announced the arrest of four suspects in connection with cases of defilement, murder, and unlawful possession of suspected human parts across the state.

DSP Ayanlade said one of the suspects, identified as Usman Azeez, was arrested in Ado-Awaye for the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl.

He said the suspect was currently in police custody as investigations continued.

The police spokesperson also disclosed that operatives arrested another suspect, Abdulraheem Koni, in connection with the alleged murder of his former employer, Lateef Giwa.

The case was reported at the Tede Police Division, and the suspect is presently being detained.

The statement further confirmed the arrest of another suspect over an alleged murder in Ibadan, where the victim later died from injuries sustained during an altercation.

The corpse has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital morgue for post-mortem examination.

The police also arrested a commercial driver along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near Guru Maharaji Village for unlawful possession of items suspected to be human parts, recovered during a routine stop-and-search operation.

The command said investigations were ongoing in all the cases, adding that suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Security

Ikoyi-Ile Residents Reassured After False Alarm

By Web News 440

By Abisola Oluremi

Normalcy has returned to Ikoyi-Ile community in Oyo State after security agencies confirmed that the reported bandit threat that sparked panic over the weekend was a hoax.

The Oyo State Police Command led the response after receiving intelligence reports about a handwritten note allegedly dropped in front of a residential building in Ikoyi-Ile, Orire Local Government Area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the note—written in both Yoruba and English—claimed that suspected bandits planned to attack the community.

He said the development prompted the command to immediately activate its intelligence, tactical, and operational response mechanisms, including increased police presence along the Ikoyi-Ile Road.

However, subsequent investigations revealed that the threat was not genuine.

Confirming the situation in an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria, the Ashipa of Onikoyi Kingdom, Chief Saka Akanji, dismissed reports of any bandit invasion and assured residents that peace had fully returned to the area.

Chief Akanji explained that children allegedly placed a threat letter on major streets in the community, using stones to hold it down and prevent it from being blown away.

He said the act unintentionally triggered fear among residents before security agencies intervened.

Chief Akanji commended the swift response of the police and urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Security

Oyo Police Issue Drowning Safety Warning

By Web News 399

By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo State Police Command has raised the alarm over a growing number of drowning incidents across the state, urging residents to exercise heightened caution around water-related environments.

The Command warned members of the public to remain vigilant around rivers, streams, dams, swimming pools, and other water facilities, noting a disturbing rise in reported cases.

In a statement signed by the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Command said the increase in drowning incidents necessitated an urgent public safety advisory.

The Police called on religious organisations, especially those operating worship centres near rivers and other natural water bodies, to adopt proactive safety measures during religious activities.

It stressed the importance of close supervision and cautioned against allowing children unrestricted access to rivers, swimming pools, wells, and streams.

The Command also reminded hotel owners, resort operators, and managers of recreational centres of their responsibility to ensure that swimming pools within their premises are adequately supervised and clearly marked with visible safety notices.

Operators of such facilities were advised to engage trained lifeguards, swimming instructors, and tutors, while ensuring that rescue and safety equipment are readily available and in good working condition at all times.

Parents and guardians were further urged to remain vigilant and take personal responsibility for the safety of their children and wards.

Additionally, the Police advised owners and occupants of houses with wells to ensure that they are properly covered and securely lidded, warning that damaged or corroded well covers should be repaired immediately to prevent accidents.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, has frowned at avoidable loss of life and reaffirmed that the protection of lives remains a core mandate of the Nigeria Police Force.

Edited By Maxwell Oyekunle

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