Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ibadan — The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two dismissed officers of the Nigerian Army in connection with a series of armed robberies in Ibadan, recovering several suspected stolen vehicles and a motorcycle in the process. The arrests, made following a coordinated, intelligence-led operation, represent a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to tackle violent crime within the state.
In a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, police identified the suspects as David Okhaie, 48, of the Ojoo area of Ibadan, and Balogun Afolabi, 43, of Wakajaiye, Ibadan. Both men are dismissed Corporals of the Nigerian Army, and police allege they engaged in armed robbery, targeting unsuspecting members of the public and dispossessing victims of their vehicles at gunpoint.
Investigations revealed that the suspects also impersonated serving military officers, with Okhaie reportedly posing as an Army Captain during some of the alleged crimes. Police say this tactic was used to intimidate victims and facilitate the theft of vehicles across different parts of the Ibadan metropolis.
The operation was conducted by officers of the Command Monitoring Unit after credible intelligence triggered an “intensive manhunt” within Ibadan. During searches associated with the arrests, police recovered several exhibits, including a black Toyota Camry (registration KRD 253 KC), a metallic Toyota Corolla (JTA 938 AA), a silver Lexus RX 350 (unregistered), and a black Super Cargo motorcycle (YRE 487 VD).
Police confirmed that both suspects have confessed to their alleged involvement in the armed robbery activities and are now providing information to assist investigators in identifying other members of the criminal network and recovering additional stolen property.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, commended the professionalism and diligence of the Monitoring Unit operatives, describing the success as an outcome of intelligence-driven policing. He urged members of the public who may have lost vehicles matching the descriptions of the recovered exhibits to present valid proof of ownership to the state police command for verification and possible retrieval of their property.
Authorities emphasised that the arrests underscore the ongoing efforts by security forces to reduce armed robbery and other violent crimes in the region. The police encouraged citizens to continue cooperating with law enforcement by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent crime and apprehend offenders.
As investigations continue, police efforts are focused on dismantling the wider criminal syndicate and ensuring that all those involved are brought to justice.
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