Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, have arrested two dismissed soldiers of the Nigerian Army over alleged involvement in armed robbery operations within the state, recovering three vehicles and a motorcycle in the process.
The arrest followed credible intelligence and an intensive manhunt conducted by operatives attached to the command’s Monitoring Unit across the Ibadan metropolis, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Olayinka disclosed that one of the suspects, aged 48, was a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army who allegedly paraded himself as an Army Captain to deceive victims. The second suspect, aged 43, was also identified as a dismissed Corporal.
The police spokesman further alleged that the suspects specialised in dispossessing unsuspecting members of the public of their vehicles at gunpoint, instilling fear and undermining public peace across parts of Oyo State.
Items recovered from the suspects during the operation include a black Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 253 KC, a metallic-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number JTA 938 AA, a silver Lexus RX 350 without registration, and a black Super Cargo motorcycle bearing registration number YRE 487 VD.
DSP Olayinka urged members of the public who may have lost vehicles to armed robbery or theft, and whose descriptions match the recovered exhibits, to visit the Oyo State Police Command with valid proof of ownership and means of identification.
He added that the suspects are currently cooperating with investigators, providing information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal syndicate.