The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspects over the unlawful possession and sale of suspected human parts in Ibadan.
The authority described the development as part of ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and safeguard public health.
The Command said the arrest followed a routine stop-and-search operation along the Adekile area of Agugu, where a patrol team intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
A search conducted on the passenger led to the recovery of a package containing flesh suspected to be human intestines, prompting his immediate arrest.
The suspect, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, reportedly confessed during interrogation that he obtained the items from an unidentified individual in the Oritaperin area and subsequently sold them to two persons simply identified as Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Command acted swiftly on the intelligence provided.
“The Command, in line with its proactive policing strategy, routinely carries out stop-and-search operations aimed at detecting and preventing crime.
“It was during one of such operations that the suspect was intercepted with items suspected to be human parts,” he said.
He added that, “Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects who confessed to purchasing the items.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet and thorough investigation.”
All three suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, the police said.
In a related development, the Command also announced the arrest of six suspected members of a robbery syndicate operating within the Ibadan metropolis.
According to the police, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit acted on credible intelligence about a gang that specialised in using tricycles to dispossess unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables.
The suspects were traced to a hotel in the 7UP/Academy area, where a coordinated sting operation led to their arrest.
Those apprehended include Kelvin Daniel, Idris Ramon, Christopher Solomon, Mohamed Telim, Taored Aderibigbe, and Adekunle Tolani, 27.
Items recovered from the suspects include 18 mobile phones, one Opay ATM card, a National Identification Number card, and a tricycle with registration number OYO SHK 508 QP, believed to have been used for their operations.
Olayinka noted that the success of the operation was largely due to public cooperation, emphasizing the importance of timely information sharing.
“We wish to commend members of the public for their continued cooperation and provision of credible intelligence. This underscores the critical role of community partnership in effective policing,” he said.
He further stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate responsible for terrorising residents across the city.
The Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, urging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.
“Community cooperation remains critical in maintaining law and order. We encourage residents to continue to support the police with timely and useful information,” the police spokesperson added.