The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended two dismissed soldiers in connection with a series of armed robbery attacks across the state.
The suspects, identified as David Okhaie and Balogun Afolabi, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation that also led to the recovery of several stolen vehicles, including cars and a motorcycle.
It was gathered that Okhaie, a 48-year-old dismissed corporal of the Nigerian Army with Service Number 2005NA/…./…, had been falsely presenting himself as an army captain, while his 43-year-old accomplice, Afolabi, is also a dismissed corporal of the Nigerian Army with Service Number 2011NA/…./….
Further investigations revealed that the suspects specialised in dispossessing unsuspecting members of the public of their vehicles at gunpoint, instilling fear and disrupting public peace across the state.
During an intensive search by operatives, several stolen items were recovered from the suspects, including a black Toyota Camry with registration number KRD 253 KC, a metallic Toyota Corolla with registration number JTA 938 AA, a silver Lexus RX 350 (unregistered), and a black Super Cargo motorcycle with registration number YRE 487 VD.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the suspects had confessed to their crimes and were providing valuable information to assist ongoing investigations.
He urged members of the public who may have lost vehicles matching the recovered exhibits to visit the Oyo State Police Command with valid proof of ownership for verification and possible retrieval.
Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his visionary leadership, unwavering support, and strong emphasis on intelligence-led policing.
He also commended officers and men of the Command Monitoring Unit for their professionalism, diligence, and courage in successfully executing the operation.
Meanwhile, the command reassured members of the public of its unwavering commitment to the fight against crime and criminality and encouraged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.
