The Oyo State Police Command has foiled a highway robbery attempt along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway and arrested a suspected armed robber during a joint operation with local vigilantes.
The incident occurred at Egbeda Village near Ogbomoso when a joint patrol team of police operatives and vigilantes encountered suspected robbers who had reportedly blocked the highway.
According to the police, the attackers had stopped a tanker loaded with diesel driven by Surajudeen Sulaiman and forcefully dispossessed the driver and his assistants of their belongings.
A gun duel reportedly broke out as the suspects attempted to flee the scene. During the exchange, one of the suspects, identified as 32-year-old Dere Yahaya, was apprehended, while other members of the gang escaped into the nearby bush with suspected bullet wounds.
Security operatives later launched a bush-combing operation and a manhunt to track down the fleeing suspects.
The state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, commended the bravery and swift response of the officers and local security partners involved in the operation.
He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for his continued support in strengthening highway and community policing across the country.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies. They were also advised to contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre through the toll-free line 615 or the command’s control room numbers, 08081768614 and 07055495413, during emergencies.
Post comments (0)