Crime

Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists in Oyo

By Web News 146

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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Security

VCRU inauguration is timely – Makinde

By Web News 153

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has inaugurated Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) as part of efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to fight crime.

Speaking at the event held at the Police Command, Eleyele,Ibadan,Governor Makinde who described the unit as timely especially in the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes said specialised tactical squad reflects the commitment of both the state government and security agencies to strengthening Oyo State’s security architecture.

He noted that with the inauguration of VCRU which is the first of its kind in the South-West region, there would be improvements in the area of economic growth, investment, tourism and social stability.

Governor Makinde added that the state government would continue to support security agencies with logistics, mobility, surveillance infrastructure and intelligence sharing.

He noted that his government is working closely with security agencies to get clarity on Oriire attack, and offered sympathies to families who lost loved ones.

He added that the incident serves as a reminder that security must never be taken for granted, adding that government at all levels must remain proactive, vigilant and responsive at all times.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in oyo state, Mr olugbenga Abimbola said the VCRU aligns with ongoing police reforms aimed at replacing former tactical teams with more accountable, intelligence-driven and professionally trained units.

To ensure that VCRU which was designed to replace older tactical teams, is effective, an independent committee comprises Nigeria Union of Journalists, National Human Rights Commission, market associations, civil society groups and other stakeholders, was inaugurated to monitor the unit’s activities.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

School Attack: IGP Condoles with Bereaved Familes, Orders Intensified Rescue Operations

By Web News 182

By Abisola Oluremi

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has visited Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State following the deadly attack and abduction that occurred in the early hours of Friday .

The IGP expressed deep concern over the incident and extended condolences to families of those who lost their lives.


The Police boss was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, due to the proximity of the affected communities to the Kwara border, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, as part of efforts to strengthen school safety and coordinate response measures.

During the visit, the IGP met with the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, and other security stakeholders where he received operational briefings on ongoing rescue efforts and security deployments across the troubled communities.

The Inspector-General assured residents, parents, and guardians of the kidnapped victims that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified search-and-rescue operations, intelligence gathering, and tactical deployments to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims and bring those responsible to justice.

The IGP condemned the attack as cruel and unacceptable and directed the deployment of additional assets to restore normalcy in the area.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Labour

CP Abimbola Felicitates Oyo Workers on May Day

By Web News 182

By Abisola Oluremi

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, has congratulated all workers of the state on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police saluted the courage, resilience, and ingenuity of Oyo State workers, noting that their unwavering dedication will continue to drive the socioeconomic growth and development of the state. 

He emphasised that the commitment and professionalism demonstrated by workers across all sectors remain vital to sustaining peace, stability, and progress in the state.

In recognition of these contributions, CP Abimbola commended the gallant officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, alongside other security agencies, for their sacrifice and steadfastness in ensuring the safety of lives and property.

He also acknowledged the immense efforts of health workers, teachers, artisans, traders, farmers, transporters, journalists, civil servants, and members of organized labour unions, describing them as indispensable partners in nation-building.

The Commissioner of Police gave the assurance that the command will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property across the state.

He noted that a safe and secured environment would remain fundamental to enabling workers and businesses to thrive.

CP Olugbenga urged all residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and supportive of security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will aid in crime prevention and detection.

The Commissioner concluded by wishing all workers a peaceful and rewarding Workers’ Day celebration, urging them to remain steadfast in their contributions toward building a safer and more prosperous Oyo State.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Crime

Police Arrest Sixteen Suspected Cultists

By Web News 198

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

Police, Stakeholders Seek Solutions to Insecurity

By Web News 185

By Abisola Oluremi

Stakeholders on security have met at the Eleyele Headquarters of the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to develop practical measures against rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, killings, and other crimes across the state. 

The meeting, chaired by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, drew participants from traditional institutions, schools, religious bodies, farming and cattle-rearing communities, as well as other security agencies.

The participants described the forum as timely, given the growing insecurity affecting schools, remote settlements, farmlands, and major road corridors. 

Some stakeholders, including the Head of Fulani in Oyo State, Alhaji Yakubu Bello, a representative of the Igbo community, Chief Ikechuckwu Nwabueze, and the Baale of Ago Ilorin, Chief Bashiru Kabir, urged governments at all levels to impose stiffer penalties on offenders as a deterrent to criminal activities.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Abimbola, emphasised that effective policing relies heavily on public cooperation.

The meeting ended with a collective resolution to revive local vigilance structures, promote unity among residents, and strengthen community–police partnership to restore peace and safeguard lives and property across Oyo State.

Edited by Adetutu Adetule

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Security

Police Week: Stakeholders Advocate Credible Elections

By Web News 231

By Abisola Oluremi

As part of activities marking the 2026 Police Week, the Oyo State Police Command underscored the critical role that credible elections play in fostering national development.

The programme, which brought together various stakeholders, also intensified efforts to educate the public on the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.

In his welcome address at the police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, expressed concern that many road crashes are directly linked to traffic rule violations.

On the issue of ensuring credible elections, CP Abimbola assured the public that officers of the command are fully prepared and will maintain the highest level of impartiality.

He added that anyone caught engaging in electoral violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Also addressing the audience, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Ekaneh Hussein, highlighted electoral violence and ballot snatching as key challenges that must be tackled decisively to ensure free and fair elections.

Mr Hussein urged political stakeholders and members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

Representing the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Abdulramon Tella, the Administrative Secretary of INEC, Mrs Agnes Olutunminu, called on religious leaders to use their platforms to speak against the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.

Echoing the call, Professor Tella emphasised that individuals involved in electoral violations must be treated as criminals, regardless of their social standing or influence.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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