Police Arrest Three Over ₦31.7m Highway Robbery in Oyo

Police Arrest Three Over ₦31.7m Highway Robbery in Oyo
Poultry Feeds Recovered
Authorities said the breakthrough came after members of the public provided timely intelligence

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a five-man armed robbery gang and recovered goods worth ₦31.75 million following a highway attack in Ibadan.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident occurred along the Coca-Cola area of Asejire, where the victim, identified as Ezekiel Inije, was reportedly ambushed at gunpoint while transporting agricultural products.

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According to police, the attackers hijacked a Howo Long truck loaded with 2,000 bags of Karma Agric chicken feeds valued at ₦31.75 million.

Authorities said the breakthrough came after members of the public provided timely intelligence, which helped operatives trace the suspects to the Oko area of Ogbomoso, where they were arrested.

The Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, directed the Command’s Monitoring Unit to immediately swing into action. Using a combination of human intelligence and technology-driven investigation, officers tracked down the suspects within days of the robbery.

The arrested suspects were identified as Chigbo Mesoma (24), Erondu Wisdom (29), and Okechukwu Emmanuel (25).

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Items recovered include the hijacked Howo Long truck with Lagos registration number AAA 724 YJ, fully loaded with the stolen poultry feeds, a cutlass, and an additional Lagos State number plate, LSR 339 XW, believed to have been used to disguise the vehicle’s identity.

Police said the suspects have confessed to their involvement and are assisting investigators in tracking down other fleeing members of the gang. The syndicate is suspected to specialise in highway robbery and cargo hijacking.

Commissioner Haruna praised the operatives for their swift and professional response, describing the operation as a clear example of effective intelligence-led policing. He also commended residents for providing useful information that led to the arrests.

“The support of the public was instrumental to this breakthrough. We encourage residents to continue to volunteer credible information, which will always be treated with utmost confidentiality,” he said.

The Command assured that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and bring all those involved to justice. It also reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Oyo State, warning that the state will not serve as a safe haven for criminal elements.

Residents were urged to report suspicious activities through the state’s emergency lines, including the toll-free number 615 and the Police Control Room numbers 08081768614 and 07055495413.

The suspects are expected to be charged in court after investigations are concluded.