Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested three suspected armed robbers during a stop-and-search operation at the General Gas area of Akobo in Lagelu Local Government Area of the state, recovering a firearm, stolen mobile phones, and cash.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspects were identified as Abiodun Michael, Olaoluwa Pamole, and Ahmed Ismail, while another accomplice known simply as Lamidi is currently on the run.
Ayanlade explained that police operatives on routine patrol at the General Gas area intercepted a suspect riding a motorcycle. On sighting the officers, the suspect, later identified as Abiodun Michael, allegedly attempted to escape but was quickly pursued and arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in armed robbery operations alongside three accomplices—Olaoluwa Pamole, Ahmed Ismail, and Lamidi. The gang was said to have robbed unsuspecting members of the public at gunpoint around the Toll Gate and Egbeda areas of Ibadan.
Further investigations by the police revealed that Michael had been on the command’s watch list for some time. Authorities said he was known to operate along the borders of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states, allegedly engaging in armed robbery activities across the region.
Acting on the information obtained from the suspect, a team of police operatives, working in collaboration with the Command Monitoring Unit and led by the Divisional Police Officer of Akobo Division, traced the gang to their suspected meeting point at Access Hotel located in the Sawmill area of Onipepeye, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
At the location, two additional suspects—Olaoluwa Pamole and Ahmed Ismail—were apprehended, while Lamidi managed to escape and remains at large.
A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of several items believed to have been stolen from victims. Among the items recovered were one Magnum pump-action gun loaded with six live cartridges and numerous mobile phones, including iPhone 17, iPhone 16 (Blue), iPhone 15, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone XR, and iPhone 8.
Other recovered devices included Tecno Camon, Tecno CKG, Tecno Spark 20, Tecno CM6, five units of Redmi phones, and a Samsung Galaxy S10.
Additional items recovered by the police include a Wi-Fi device, a power bank, an Oraimo radio, four wristwatches, and a cash sum of N130,000.
The suspects also reportedly confessed to their involvement in the snatching of an ash-coloured Honda vehicle in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, has directed that the case be transferred to the Command Monitoring Unit for further discreet investigation and prosecution.
The commissioner also ordered that efforts be intensified to track down the fleeing suspect, Lamidi, so he can face prosecution alongside the others.
The police command commended the swift response, diligence, and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation, noting that their timely intervention led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen items.
The command also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for what it described as his leadership and guidance, which it said has strengthened proactive policing across the country.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
The command further called on members of the public who may have recently lost valuables to robbery incidents around the Egbeda and Toll Gate areas of Ibadan to come forward to the Command Monitoring Unit to identify and reclaim recovered items after proper verification.
Police authorities reassured residents of their commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
