The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday arrested two suspected armed robbers in Ibadan, the state capital, following an intelligence-led operation.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ibadan.
According to the statement, the suspects—David Okhaie, 48, of the Ojoo area, and Balogun Afolabi, 43, of the Wakajaiye area—are dismissed corporals of the Nigerian Army who allegedly specialised in dispossessing unsuspecting members of the public of their vehicles at gunpoint. Ayanlade said the duo falsely paraded themselves as an Army captain to carry out their criminal activities.
He explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence and an intense manhunt, which culminated in a well-coordinated operation carried out within the Ibadan metropolis by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit.
Ayanlade said a search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a black Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 253 KC, a metallic Toyota Corolla with registration number JTA 938 AA, a silver Lexus RX 350 without registration number, and a black Super Cargo motorcycle with registration number YRE 487 VD.
He added that the suspects have confessed to the crimes and are currently providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations, with a view to apprehending other members of the criminal syndicate and recovering additional stolen properties.
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The police spokesperson invited members of the public who may have lost their vehicles to armed robbery or theft, and whose vehicle descriptions match any of the recovered exhibits, to visit the Oyo State Police Command with valid proof of ownership and means of identification for verification and possible claim of their vehicles.
The Command reassured residents of its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urged the public to continue to support the police with timely and credible information.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command recently foiled an armed robbery attempt in the Kado area of Abuja, arresting one suspect and recovering several exhibits.