The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally made pistol and a live cartridge during an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along the Ibadan-Ife Road.
The arrest was made around Ajia Junction, with the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosing the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
Ayanlade said operatives of the Command’s Safer Highway Patrol intercepted a white Mazda bus travelling from Ibadan towards Ondo State as part of efforts to prevent criminal activities along the highway.
According to him, the bus, driven by Sanusi Afeez Adedamola, was subjected to a search, during which one of the passengers, identified as Emmanuel Kingsley Odoh, was arrested after a locally made pistol and a live cartridge were allegedly found in his possession.
The police spokesperson said the recovered firearm and ammunition had been secured as exhibits, while the suspect was taken into custody for further investigation.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, had directed that the case be transferred to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for discreet investigation.
Ayanlade said the investigation would focus on establishing the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and identifying other members of the suspected criminal syndicate, with a view to bringing them to justice.
The Command said the arrest underscored the importance of sustained stop-and-search operations, particularly along major highways and other identified routes.
It explained that professionally conducted, intelligence-led operations could help detect and remove firearms and other prohibited items from circulation, disrupt the movement of suspected criminals and generate useful intelligence for broader crime-prevention efforts.
The Command assured commuters and residents along major highways in the state of continued security patrols and intelligence-led operations.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and actionable information that could assist in preventing and combating crime across the state.
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