The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two dismissed personnel of the Nigerian Army alongside two other suspects over alleged armed robbery and vehicle theft in Ibadan. The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit following credible intelligence and an intensive manhunt that culminated in a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation across parts of the Ibadan metropolis.
The suspects were identified as David Okhaie, 48, of the Ojoo area of Ibadan, a dismissed army corporal who allegedly impersonated a serving army captain, and Balogun Afolabi, 43, of Wakajaiye area, also a dismissed corporal. Two additional suspects were apprehended during the operation.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the gang specialised in robbing unsuspecting members of the public of their vehicles at gunpoint, thereby instilling fear and undermining public peace and security in the state. A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of four vehicles and a motorcycle.
The recovered exhibits include a black Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 253 KC; a metallic Toyota Corolla with registration number JTA 938 AA; a silver Lexus RX 350 without registration number; and a black Super Cargo motorcycle with registration number YRE 487 VD.
The command has called on members of the public who may have lost vehicles to armed robbery or theft, and whose vehicle descriptions match the recovered items, to visit the Oyo State Police Command with valid proof of ownership and means of identification for verification and possible recovery.
Police said the suspects have confessed to the offences and are currently providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations, adding that efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen property.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Femi Haruna, commended officers of the Monitoring Unit for their professionalism and diligence in carrying out the operation. Haruna also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his leadership and sustained emphasis on intelligence-led policing.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to combating crime across the state and urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.