The Oyo State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate in Ibadan, recovering a locally made pistol and seven live cartridges during an intelligence-led operation.

The suspects, identified as Ijo Lekan, 28; Abdulateef Ishola, 26; Idowu Rasheed, 19; Azeez Olalekan, 23; and Seun Adeniran, 24, were arrested at Oke Labo area of Ibadan on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

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The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

According to the statement, detectives attached to the Mapo Divisional Headquarters carried out the operation at about 11:16 am after receiving credible intelligence about the suspected criminal group.

The officers reportedly moved to the area and searched a building at Oke Labo, where they apprehended the five men.

The police said the operation also led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and seven live cartridges.

Providing details of the suspects’ alleged activities, the command said they confessed during interrogation to belonging to an armed robbery syndicate and participating in several violent attacks and other criminal activities in Ibadan.

The statement added that the suspects were cooperating with investigators and providing information that could help identify and arrest other members of the alleged syndicate.

However, the police disclosed that some suspects believed to be connected to the group remained at large.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged criminal activities.

The investigation is also expected to identify other individuals linked to the syndicate and support efforts to recover additional evidence.

The command reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led policing and efforts to remove illegal firearms and criminal elements from the state.

It also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support crime prevention and the arrest of suspected offenders.

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The five suspects remain suspects, and their alleged involvement in the reported attacks will be subject to further investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.