The Oyo State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against armed robbery with the apprehension of three suspected members of a notorious five-man gang believed to have been terrorizing communities across Ibadan and its surrounding areas. The arrests mark a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to combat organized criminal activities that have increasingly threatened public safety and disrupted economic activities.
According to officials, the arrests were the culmination of a carefully planned operation prompted by a recent armed robbery incident along the Coca-Cola area in Asejire, Ibadan, where one Ezekiel Inije was reportedly ambushed at gunpoint. The victim’s swift report of the attack triggered an immediate response by the police, who acted on intelligence provided by vigilant members of the public.
The operation, coordinated by the Command’s CP Monitoring Unit, combined meticulous human intelligence gathering with strategic investigative measures. Acting under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, officers conducted a series of surveillance and tracking operations that eventually led them to the Oko area of Ogbomoso, where the suspects were located.
The three apprehended suspects — Chigbo Mesoma (24), Erondu Wisdom (29), and Okechukwu Emmanuel (25) — were taken into custody without incident. Subsequent investigations revealed that the gang had been involved in multiple robbery and hijacking operations across the state. Authorities reported the recovery of stolen items valued at over ₦31,750,000, including a Howo Long vehicle bearing Lagos registration number AAA 724 YJ, loaded with 2,000 bags of Karma Agric Chicken Feeds. Other items recovered included a cutlass and a Lagos State vehicle with registration number LSR 339 XW, both believed to have been used in prior criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police commended the CP Monitoring Unit for their professionalism, tactical acumen, and rapid response, highlighting the operation as an example of how effective intelligence-led policing can yield significant results. He stressed that the arrests underscore the importance of community engagement and public cooperation in law enforcement efforts, noting that timely information provided by residents was critical in neutralizing the criminal threat.
Authorities further revealed that the arrested suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in armed robbery activities and are cooperating with ongoing investigations. Police have vowed to intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining two members of the gang, who remain at large and are believed to pose a continued threat to public safety, particularly on highways and major transport routes.
Residents of Oyo State were reassured that the Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, emphasizing that all reports of criminal activity will be treated with strict confidentiality. The police have called on community members to maintain vigilance and continue reporting suspicious activities, reiterating that active collaboration between law enforcement and the public is essential in maintaining peace and security throughout the state.
This successful operation reflects the broader strategic priorities of the Oyo State Police Command, which has increasingly adopted intelligence-driven methods to tackle organized crime, reduce violent incidents, and restore public confidence in law enforcement. Authorities have highlighted that sustained community engagement, coupled with targeted police action, will remain central to ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of all citizens.
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