Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally made pistol and a live cartridge during a stop-and-search operation along the Ibadan-Ife Road.
The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Kingsley Odoh, was arrested on Thursday, September 25, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m. near Ajia Junction.
In a statement issued on Saturday by DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oyo state Command, the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Command’s Safer Highway Patrol.
The police said officers intercepted a white Mazda bus driven by Sanusi Afeez Adedamola, a male resident of Owena, while the vehicle was travelling from Ibadan towards Ondo State. A search of the vehicle allegedly led to the discovery of a locally made pistol and a live cartridge in the possession of Odoh, who was subsequently taken into custody.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, PSC, MNIPS, directed that the case be transferred to the Violent Crime Response Unit for further investigation. The unit is expected to investigate the suspect’s alleged involvement, identify and arrest other members of the suspected syndicate and prosecute the suspects upon completion of the investigation.
The police said the arrest underscores the importance of intelligence-led stop-and-search operations in tackling crime, particularly along major highways. The Command assured residents and commuters of continued security patrols and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information to the police. Emergency calls can be made through the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line, 615, or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.
