Oyo State Police Command has arrested suspected armed robbers and recovered a cache of weapons, stolen phones and other valuables during a stop-and-search operation in Ibadan, the state capital.

The operation, according to the police, was part of the command’s intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at curbing criminal activities and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that operatives on patrol at the General Gas area of Akobo intercepted a suspect riding a motorcycle who attempted to flee on sighting the police.

He said the suspect, identified as AbiodunAdeyemi Michael, was pursued and eventually apprehended by the police, who have been on his trail for alleged involvement in robbery operations across Oyo and neighbouring states.

Preliminary investigations, according to the command, revealed that the suspect was known to operate along the border areas of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of a pump-action firearm and many stolen items, including a Magnum pump-action gun loaded with six live cartridges as well as mobile phones of different brands.

Among the phones recovered were iPhone 17, iPhone 16, iPhone 15, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone XR and iPhone 8.

Others included TecnoCamon, Tecno Spark 20, Tecno CM6, Tecno CKG and five Redmi phones, as well as a Samsung Galaxy S10.

The police also recovered a Wi-fi device, a power bank, an Oraimo radio, four wristwatches and N130,000 cash.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in robbery operations with three accomplices identified as OlaoluwaPamole, Ahmed Ismail and Lamidi.

He said the gang had robbed several victims at gunpoint around the Toll Gate and Egbeda areas of Ibadan.

Following the confession, a team of police operatives, in collaboration with officers from the Command Monitoring Unit (CMU), proceeded to the suspects’ alleged meeting point at Access Hotel, located at the Sawmill area of Onipepeye along Iwo Road. The operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Akobo Division.

At the location, Pamole and Ismail were arrested, while Lamidi, reportedly escaped and is at large.

The suspects also reportedly confessed to involvement in the snatching of an ash-coloured Honda car in Abeokuta.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, has directed that the case be transferred to the CMU for further investigation and prosecution.

He also ordered that efforts be intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect and urged the public who may have lost valuables to robbery in the Egbeda and Toll Gate areas of Ibadan to come forward to CMU to identify and claim recovered items after proper verification.

Haruna reiterated the command’s commitment to protect lives and property and called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.