Fresh details have surfaced regarding the abduction of school pupils and the killing of two teachers and an okada rider in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as investigators reportedly uncovered how suspected informants allegedly stayed in contact with the kidnappers through phone calls.
According to Vanguard, the Oyo State Police Command said investigators were able to track the suspects through telephone conversations believed to have been exchanged with the bandits during and after the operation.
The police said the calls allegedly included information on possible routes within the National Park and guidance on how the criminals could access concealed locations used as hideouts.
The development led to the arrest of at least six suspects, who are currently in custody and assisting security agencies with ongoing investigations into the attack.
Confirming the arrests on Tuesday morning, the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the suspects were picked up during coordinated operations across various parts of the state.
“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” Ayanlade said.
He further stated that preliminary findings suggest the suspects acted as informants to the armed group responsible for the abduction and killings.
“Our findings showed that some of the suspects were in contact with the abductors through telephone conversations and investigators are analysing those communications as part of efforts to uncover the full network behind the crime,” he stated.
Ayanlade also revealed that security operatives intercepted discussions allegedly focused on movement routes through the National Park and locations suspected to have been used as shelters by the attackers.
“The conversations contained information on how the abductors could move through the National Park undetected and reach safe locations,” he added.
The police spokesperson noted that the arrests were carried out through a joint security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Agro-Rangers.
“The arrests were made possible through intelligence-driven operations carried out by joint security operatives working collaboratively to dismantle the criminal network,” Ayanlade said.
He assured that efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the gang who are still on the run.
“We are committed to ensuring that every individual connected to this criminal act is identified, arrested and brought to justice. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.
The incident, which resulted in the death of two teachers and an okada rider, while pupils were abducted last Friday, has continued to spark concern among residents of Ahoro-Esiele and surrounding communities in Oyo State.
