The Oyo State Police Command has announced remarkable achievements in crime prevention and law enforcement as year 2024 comes to a close.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi, disclosed this on Friday, December 27 to newsmen during an end of the year press briefing and suspects parade held at the state command, Eleyele, Ibadan.
The police boss said his men apprehended several suspected criminals, including suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and car hijackers while recovering weapons and stolen goods worth millions of naira in the process.
The Commissioner of Police disclosed that the arrests were made possible through a series of intelligence-led operations carried out across various locations in the state.
CP Ayodele who recounted the success recorded at the state Command since his assumption of office in June till December, also highlighted key successes and ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of Oyo State residents.
Among those paraded were a 24, 35, 38, and 40-year-old men as members of a kidnapping syndicate that had terrorized Ashipa community in Atiba LG, as well as neighboring communities.
“On 9TH November, 2024 at about 0120hrs, members of a suspected kidnapping cum armed robbery syndicate who were reportedly armed with sophisticated firearms, cutlasses and some other dangerous weapons invaded ASHIPA village within ATIBA Local Government area of Oyo state with intent to kidnap certain individuals in their homes.
“The suspects who were identified by some relatives of the slain victims who also witnessed the incident reported that they allegedly opened fire on the victims when they resisted the attempt to whisk them away from their houses. Meanwhile, two of the suspects were arrested by local vigilante men while fleeing from the community and were immediately handed over to the Policemen at ATIBA Division,” the police commissioner said.
Also paraded was a suspected armed robber linked to a string of violent robberies across different parts of the state including Eruwa, Oyo and Ibadan metropolis.
In addition to these cases, the police also showcased a cache of stolen items, including vehicles, electronics, guns, and cutlasses. According to the police, these items were recovered from the various suspects during raids its personnel conducted.
CP Ayodele commended the efforts of his officers and men, emphasizing the Command’s commitment to making Oyo State safer. He called on residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies, assuring the public that the suspects would face justice.
The police commissioner equally disclosed that since assuming office as the Commissioner of Police in the state, Oyo state Command has implemented strategic measures to tackle crime, including: enhanced inter-agency collaboration, intensive training and retraining of officers, community policing initiatives, and deployment of advanced technology and intelligence-driven strategies among others.
He explained that these efforts have paid off, with the Command recording significant success between June 16th and December 27th, 2024 with the total arrest of 153 armed robbery suspects, recovery of 12 stolen vehicles and 12 motorcycles/tricycles, and seizure of 48 firearms and 1,396 rounds of ammunition.
Providing further update about the suspects paraded on Friday, CP Ayodele said on November 30th, 2024, a gang specializing in attacking commercial motorcyclists was intercepted in which four suspects were arrested, and a stolen TVS motorcycle recovered.
The police boss told newsmen that on November 9th, 2024, two members of a kidnapping syndicate were apprehended in Atiba Local Government where the suspects were armed and had attempted to abduct residents.
Also, a December 2nd operation by the police led to the arrest of a notorious robbery gang operating between Ibadan and Eruwa, recovering four locally made pistols, nine live cartridges, a stolen Toyota Camry, and other stolen items.
Furthermore, on December 1st, the Police Commissioner disclosed that a hijacked trailer carrying 7,801 cartons of goods was recovered, and five suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
He explained further that on November 10th, another gang broke into a warehouse at Challenge, Ibadan, carting away 500 cartons of PVC worth ₦30 million while seven suspects were arrested.
To ensure sustained safety during the festive season however, CP Ayodele said he has directed increased patrols and surveillance across critical infrastructures, public spaces, and highways.
“Special monitoring teams have been deployed to prevent misconduct by officers, while the public has been urged to report any suspicious activities.”
CP Ayodele expressed gratitude to the state government, security partners, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders for their support.
He assured the public of the Command’s commitment to professionalism and urged residents to provide credible and timely information to the police.
“If you see something, say something, and the police will do something,” CP Ayodele emphasized,” he added.
Some of the suspects who spoke to newsmen admitted to the various crimes they were being paraded for but however, pleaded for clemency from the government and relevant authorities.