The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of two suspected armed robbers and the recovery of a firearm after a robbery operation along the Oyo–Iwo Expressway in Afijio Local Council of the state.

According to the command, the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, had swiftly directed the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to respond to a distress call made to the Police Control Room in Eleyele, Ibadan, that a gang of armed robbers had barricaded the Oyo–Iwo Expressway, around Akoda Village.

Moving to the scene, the VCRU operatives rescued victims, secured the area and searched the crime scene, during which they recovered a single-barreled gun and two clubs used by the gang.

Spokesperson for the command, DSP Oluseyi Ayanlade, said the hoodlums reportedly attacked motorists and passengers travelling from a nearby market towards Iwo Town, dispossessing them of their valuables. According to him, some victims sustained machete injuries during the attack, and others were subjected to other forms of violence.

He added that further investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, identified as Abubakar Jape and Sheu Dengi, at their respective hideouts. Ayanlade said the suspects have confessed to participating in the robbery operation.

Also, the command conducted an identification parade, during which the victims identified the two suspects as members of the gang responsible for the attack, he said, adding that a search on one of the suspects’ hideouts also led to the recovery of a rechargeable torchlight belonging to one of the victims.

Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the VCRU operatives, the commissioner of police described the arrests as another demonstration of the command’s resolve to combat violent crimes across Oyo State.

He assured residents that efforts had been intensified to track down other members of the robbery gang and bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command said it has begun investigations into the Sunday night attack on Olua Rumuodogo 2 Community in Emohua Local Council, pledging to uncover the motive behind the violence and apprehend those responsible.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, disclosed this while confirming the attack, which was allegedly carried out by gunmen suspected to have come from the Bukuma community in Degema Local Council.

Agabe said the investigation would focus on establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident, identifying the perpetrators, and ensuring that they are brought to justice.

In the meantime, the Chairman of Emohua Local Council Area, Chidi Lloyd, has visited the affected community in the aftermath of the attack. Lloyd inspected damaged homes and other property destroyed during the assault and commiserated with the residents over their losses. He assured that steps were being taken to restore peace and security.

Addressing newsmen after touring the community, Lloyd said preliminary investigations revealed that two fishermen from Bukuma Community were found dead in a river about a week ago, adding that their fishing nets were later recovered from the homes of some residents of Olua.

However, he cautioned against premature conclusions, stressing that the discovery of the fishing nets alone does not imply that those in whose homes they were found were responsible for the killings.

He disclosed that he and his counterpart in Degema Local Council had initiated discussions to restore peaceful coexistence between the two communities and also prevent reprisals.