The Oyo State Police Command has on Friday paraded at least 47 suspects involved in various criminal activities, bordering around kidnapping for ransom, murder, armed robbery, rape, and car hijacking.
The suspects were paraded at a press briefing on Friday, October 25 at the Police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, where Police highlighted efforts to curb crime in the Oyo state.
The Police Commissioner disclosed that a total cash sum of ₦2.7 million believed to be ransom payments from kidnapping, was recovered from the two suspected kidnappers during police operations.
Other items recovered from the suspects include one Ak-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size locally made extended cartridge, one MAC Trailer, vehicles, motorcycle, 1,130 pieces of cartons of adhesives, among other recoveries.
Also recovered by the police are 170 bags of Wheat (Animal Feed), one Mazda Premacy with Reg. number KKY593, one Toyota Hiace Bus, bundles of Ankara fabrics, one Samsung Plasma Television, two motorcycles,two fridges, one water dispenser, one Sharp Home Theatre, one 55 Hisence Smart Television, One mud pot, and one Live cartridge.
The Oyo State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) SP Adewale Osifeso, who represented the Commissioner of Police at the press briefing disclosed identities of the suspects involved in kidnapping and murder.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Oyo state police Command to ensuring safety and security of life and properties of all residents in the state.
The Police boss disclosed further that the suspects were apprehended at various locations across the state, following intelligence-led operations. Several firearms and stolen vehicles, goods diverted, local charms were also recovered during the raids.
CP Sonubi disclosed further that the past few weeks have been busy for the state Police Command especially with the need to immediately evaluate and redesign current security architecture to enable the security agency cater comprehensively for both evolving and emerging security concerns.
“On 30TH August, 2024 at about 0120hrs, some suspected members of a dreaded armed robbery cum kidnapping syndicate who were reportedly armed with sophisticated firearms, cutlasses and some other dangerous weapons allegedly invaded a Herder Camp at Sepeteri area of Oyo State.
“The armed gunmen who were allegedly identified by the victims as nomadic cattle fired gunshots sporadically into the air and after they attacked the aforementioned members of the camp and equally disposed them of mobile phones, huge sums of money and some other valuable items at gun point, the suspects then proceeded to abduct victims and whisk them away to unknown locations where they contacted their respective family members to demand for ransom in the sum of Fifty Million Naira.
“In furtherance of the payment operational, technical and intelligence assets were swiftly activated by the Command in concert with some members of a local vigilance groups in the community in a manhunt for the fleeing suspected person and in the process, two members of the armed robbery cum kidnapping syndicate who identified themselves as FARUQ Usman and ALIU Babangida, both male, were arrested in connection with the crime.
“A cash sum of two million, seven hundred and sixty-nine thousand naira which was received by the two suspects as their share from the ransom paid by the relatives of the victim was also recovered.
“Through questioning, the suspects confessed to the crime and series of similar armed robbery cum kidnapping attacks they had masterminded at various locations in Oyo State.
Investigation continues as further progress, will be communicated.” The police commissioner stated.
While calling on the public to always endeavour to provide timely information that could aid security operation to prevent and curb crime even before they occur, the Police boss assured that the state command would continue to collaborate with sister security agencies and local vigilantes to provide adequate security for lives and properties of all residents in the state.