By The Oyo State Police Command said it has uncovered what appears to be a coordinated criminal network operating within Ibadan, arresting six suspected robbery syndicate members and three others linked to the possession and sale of suspected human parts.
Police authorities say the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations targeting criminal activities across the metropolis, with both incidents highlighting evolving patterns in urban crime.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit acted on credible intelligence about a group of suspects who allegedly used tricycles as a cover to rob unsuspecting residents.
The suspects were said to have been lodging at a hotel around the 7UP/Academy area, where they reportedly planned and coordinated their operations before launching attacks.
Acting on the tip-off, police operatives carried out a sting operation at the location, leading to the arrest of six individuals identified as Kelvin Daniel (21), Idris Ramon (25), Christopher Solomon (35), Mohamed Telim (21), Taored Aderibigbe (30), and Adekunle Tolani (27).
Items recovered from the suspects include 18 mobile phones, an Opay ATM card, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, and a tricycle marked OYO SHK 508 QP, believed to have been used for their operations.
Police sources disclosed that the suspects admitted involvement in the criminal activities during preliminary interrogation.
“Preliminary investigation further reveals that the suspects have confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate responsible for terrorising residents of Ibadan metropolis,” the statement said.
The Command also acknowledged the role of residents in the success of the operation, noting that timely intelligence contributed significantly to the arrests.
“This development underscores the critical role of community partnership in policing,” the police added, urging members of the public to continue sharing useful information
Ibadan Residents Recount Harsh Experience During Transit
The arrests come amid growing concerns among residents over a rising pattern of robbery incidents involving commercial tricycles and vehicles within Ibadan.
Several victims have taken to social media to share experiences of how they were targeted by suspected robbers posing as drivers and co-passengers during routine trips across the city.
One of such cases was narrated by a youth corps member, identified on TikTok as @similoluwaaaaaaa, who recounted how she narrowly escaped being robbed while commuting to her Community Development Service (CDS).
According to her, the incident occurred around Leventis Junction while she was on her way to Mokola.
“This is like an awareness video for everybody in Ibadan. I was on my way to CDS and boarded a maruwa from Leventis to Mokola,” she said.
She explained that the situation became suspicious when the driver asked her to assist in adjusting the vehicle’s curtain while in motion.
“The driver told me to help him pull up the curtain, saying he couldn’t see well. My bag was on my lap, and while I was doing that, I suddenly felt a hand inside my bag,” she added.
The corps member said she discovered that one of the passengers seated beside her had already opened her bag and was attempting to steal her phone.
“When I checked, the guy beside me had opened my bag and was trying to take my phone. I immediately raised an alarm,” she recounted.
According to her, the situation escalated quickly after she discovered the heinous act being perpetrated.
“When they realised they had been caught, the driver immediately told me to get down,” she said.
In another similar account, a TikTok user identified as @arikky_baby narrated how she was not as fortunate, as she lost valuables to suspected robbers during a trip within Ibadan. The victim explained that the incident occurred after she boarded a Micra vehicle at Ojoo, heading towards her destination.
“With a heavy heart, I’m making this video because I don’t want anybody to fall victim,” she said.
She recounted that the robbery began subtly, disguised as a disagreement among passengers.
“When we got to Agbowo, the driver and two passengers started arguing about someone’s bag. I got involved because I was annoyed. I mentioned kilo sele (what’s wrong) and that was the end.” she explained.
According to her, that moment of distraction marked the beginning of the attack.
“Before I knew it, everything I had was gone. They took my phone, my money, my power banks — everything,” she said.
She described the experience as devastating, noting that she lost access to funds in her account and other personal belongings during the incident.
Beyond these individual accounts, other social media users reacting to the incidents also shared similar experiences, describing a growing trend of theft and robbery during transit within parts of Oyo State.
Many residents lamented losing phones, money, and other valuables after boarding what appeared to be normal commercial vehicles, only to later discover they were targeted by organised groups.
The pattern described by victims closely mirrors the modus operandi uncovered by the police, particularly the use of tricycles and coordinated groups to rob unsuspecting passengers. The recent arrests, therefore, appear to confirm widespread fears among residents, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle such criminal networks operating within the metropolis.
Police Arrested Alfa, Pastor, and One Other involved in Suspected Trade of Human Parts
In a separate operation, the Command arrested three suspects over the unlawful possession and sale of suspected human parts during a routine stop-and-search exercise in the Adekile area of Agugu.
Police operatives intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle and, during a search, discovered a package containing what was described as flesh suspected to be human intestine. The rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, was immediately taken into custody.
During interrogation, Joseph reportedly told investigators that he obtained the suspected human parts from an unidentified individual in the Oritaperin area and had sold them to two other persons.
“He confessed that he had obtained the suspected human parts from an unknown individual at Oritaperin area and further admitted to selling the items to two persons,” the police said.
Acting on the information, police operatives tracked and arrested the two buyers, identified as Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo (46) and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo (55). Both suspects, according to the police, also admitted to purchasing the items.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, has ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
“Upon the conclusion of investigations, all suspects will be charged to court,” the statement added.
Police authorities confirmed that all nine suspects are currently in custody, while investigations continue to uncover further details surrounding the cases.
The Command reiterated its call for vigilance among residents, particularly in reporting suspicious activities, including cases involving the possession or trade of human parts.
“Community cooperation remains critical in maintaining law and order,” the police said.
