The Oyo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against violent crime with the arrest of two suspected transnational ammunition traffickers and the recovery of 2,625 live cartridges in Saki area of the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on behalf of the State Police Command.
According to the statement, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit attached to the Saki Operation Base acted on credible and actionable intelligence to dismantle the syndicate.
The intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of the 35 year old Isiaka Dare and 33 year old Taiwo Ayodabo, both from Tede, at Budo Mosalasi area of Saki.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of an international gun-running network involved in smuggling ammunition from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria through illegal border routes.
Police said the ammunition was meant for distribution to unauthorized individuals and criminal elements, posing serious threats to public safety.
Recovered from the suspects were 105 packets of pump-action cartridges concealed in four jerry cans, with each packet containing 25 cartridges, bringing the total haul to 2,625 live cartridges.
Two unregistered motorcycles allegedly used for transporting the ammunition were also seized.
The Police disclosed that the suspects have confessed to the crime and are currently cooperating with investigators to uncover the broader transnational network and identify other collaborators involved in the illicit trade.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, ordered that the suspects be charged to court after the conclusion of comprehensive investigations.
He commended the professionalism and precision of the operatives involved, stressing that intelligence-driven policing remains central to dismantling organized criminal syndicates.
The police commissioner also appreciated members of the public for providing timely information that aided the operation, noting that community cooperation remains a critical pillar in tackling crime.
He reassured residents that the command would not relent in its determination to ensure that Oyo State does not become a safe haven for criminal activities, urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with useful information.
The police said efforts are ongoing to clamp down on illegal arms proliferation across the state as part of broader strategies to curb violent crime and enhance public safety.