Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State have arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered stolen items and cash during a stop-and-search operation carried out in the General Gas area of Akobo in the Lagelu Local Government Area.
The suspects — Abiodun Michael, Olaoluwa Pamole, and Ahmed Ismail — were apprehended following a targeted patrol by officers attached to the Oyo State Police Command. Police authorities also disclosed that another suspect identified simply as Lamidi remains at large and is currently being sought by investigators.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement released in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.
According to Ayanlade, the arrests were made during routine stop-and-search operations conducted by patrol teams stationed around the General Gas axis of Akobo, a busy corridor within the state capital.
He explained that officers on patrol intercepted a suspect riding a motorcycle in the area but the individual attempted to evade security operatives upon sighting them.
“Upon sighting the police operatives, the suspect attempted to flee but was swiftly pursued and apprehended,” Ayanlade said.
The suspect was later identified as Abiodun Michael. Preliminary interrogation conducted by investigators reportedly led to further breakthroughs in the case. According to the police spokesperson, Michael allegedly confessed to participating in a robbery operation carried out alongside three accomplices — Olaoluwa Pamole, Ahmed Ismail, and Lamidi.
The gang, according to the police, targeted unsuspecting members of the public at gunpoint in parts of Ibadan, particularly around the Toll Gate and Egbeda areas, where several robbery incidents had recently been reported.
Subsequent police operations based on information obtained from the arrested suspect led to the arrest of two additional members of the gang — Pamole and Ismail — while Lamidi managed to escape and is currently being tracked by security operatives.
Ayanlade noted that items believed to have been stolen during the robbery operations, including cash and other valuables, were recovered during the police operation.
He further revealed that ongoing investigations have shown that the primary suspect, Abiodun Michael, had been on the radar of law enforcement authorities for some time.
Investigators believe he is part of a criminal network operating along interstate corridors.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect had been on the police radar and is known to operate along the border regions of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states where he engages in armed robbery activities,” the statement said.
Security analysts say the arrests underscore the increasing reliance by law enforcement agencies on intelligence-led patrols and routine stop-and-search operations to disrupt criminal networks operating across southwestern Nigeria.
Authorities in the Ibadan have in recent months intensified surveillance and patrol operations across major transport corridors and high-traffic neighbourhoods following reports of armed robbery incidents in the metropolis.
Police authorities said the arrested suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators with ongoing inquiries aimed at dismantling the wider criminal network believed to be linked to the gang.
Ayanlade assured residents that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect and bring all those connected with the alleged criminal activities to justice.
“The command remains committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state,” he said, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information that could aid security operations.
The suspects are expected to be formally charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
