The Nigeria Police Force has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Saheed Ajibola, an official of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, in Ibadan.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer for Zone II, Osogbo, DSP Ade Ogunyemi, explained that the arrest was carried out following an extensive investigation into allegations of gun-running, unlawful sale of prohibited firearms, forgery, and illegal possession of arms. According to him, Ajibola had been identified as a principal suspect in a syndicate allegedly engaged in the illicit distribution of firearms to unauthorized individuals.
Ogunyemi disclosed that intelligence reports linked the suspect to the sale of prohibited weapons for criminal purposes. He further alleged that Ajibola forged a fake police licence in an attempt to legitimize the possession and circulation of firearms, despite an existing federal ban on the issuance of licences for prohibited arms to private individuals since 2018. The police maintained that such actions pose a serious threat to public safety and national security.
The spokesperson noted that Ajibola had been under surveillance for some time and was believed to have evaded previous attempts to bring him in for questioning. He stated that several invitations were reportedly extended to the suspect during the course of the investigation, but these efforts did not yield compliance. Consequently, law enforcement authorities acted on credible intelligence to effect his arrest in accordance with due process.
Police authorities also revealed that three additional suspects have been apprehended in connection with the alleged firearms syndicate. During the operation, officers reportedly recovered a barrel gun believed to be linked to the ongoing investigation. The force emphasized that further inquiries are underway to uncover the full extent of the network and identify any other individuals who may be involved.
Addressing concerns raised in some quarters about the manner of the arrest, the police insisted that the operation was conducted lawfully and professionally. Ogunyemi stated that at the time of the arrest, there was no prior information available to investigators confirming Ajibola’s membership in the Amotekun Corps. He added that the focus of the operation was strictly on alleged criminal activities and not on any institutional affiliation.
The police reiterated their commitment to upholding the rule of law and tackling the proliferation of illegal arms, which they described as a major contributor to violent crimes across the country. According to the spokesperson, misinformation surrounding security operations can undermine public trust and impede effective law enforcement, urging members of the public to rely on verified information.
He called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence that could assist in curbing illicit arms trafficking and other criminal activities. The police assured that investigations would be thorough and transparent, and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The arrest has brought renewed attention to the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating crime, as authorities continue efforts to strengthen oversight, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure that security personnel adhere to established regulations. The police maintained that their actions were guided solely by the need to protect lives and property, reaffirming their resolve to confront illegal arms proliferation wherever it is discovered.
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