The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected criminal and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a live cartridge and substances suspected to be illicit drugs during a stop-and-search operation in Ibadan.
The command said the operation was carried out by operatives attached to the Bodija Housing Police Division at about 9:30 p.m. on July 11 along Oshuntokun Avenue, Bodija.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, officers intercepted three men riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number DTN 678 QA during an intelligence-led operation.
He explained that while the suspects were being searched, one of them allegedly threw a small bag into a nearby drainage, while the other two escaped with the motorcycle.
“During the search, one of the suspects threw a small bag into a nearby drainage, while two others fled the scene with the motorcycle. The third suspect, Hammed Lateef, was arrested,” Olayinka said.
He disclosed that officers searched the discarded bag and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge, sachets containing substances suspected to be Tramadol and a passport photograph believed to belong to one of the fleeing suspects.
“A search of the discarded bag led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge, sachets of substances suspected to be Tramadol, and a passport photograph believed to belong to one of the fleeing suspects,” he added.
The police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident, while efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest the two fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven policing aimed at tackling crime and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.
He also appealed to residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information that could aid crime prevention and the arrest of criminal suspects.
