Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested a suspected highway robber following an exchange of gunfire along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway.
The suspect was captured after armed men reportedly mounted a roadblock at Egbeda village and attacked a tanker transporting diesel, robbing the driver and his assistants of their valuables.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, identifying the suspect as 32-year-old Dere Yahaya. He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who fled the scene.
Olayinka explained that the arrest was made by a joint patrol team made up of police operatives and local vigilantes who encountered the armed suspects during routine patrol in the area.
According to him, the criminals had stopped a diesel-laden tanker driven by Surajudeen Sulaiman and forcefully collected belongings from the driver and his motor boys.
He noted that the robbers attempted to escape upon sighting the security operatives, leading to a gun battle between them and the patrol team, during which Yahaya was apprehended.
“The remaining suspects escaped into the surrounding bush, reportedly with gunshot wounds. Security operatives have since launched a coordinated bush-combing operation to track and arrest the fleeing gang members,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Femi Haruna, praised the prompt response of the police officers and the collaboration of local vigilantes during the operation.
Haruna said the arrest highlighted the command’s resolve to strengthen security along major highways and protect motorists and residents in the state.
He also called on members of the public to stay alert and promptly provide useful information to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities.
