The police in Oyo State have arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the killing of a 44-year-old woman in Ibadan.
The suspects were arrested in connection with a robbery at Wofun, Olodo area of Ibadan, where Wahab Rukayat was killed, and other occupants sustained injuries.
The spokesperson for the police in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Mr Ayanlade, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the incident occurred on 4 August at about 2:30 a.m. when the robbers attacked the residence of one Alhaji Olatokunbo.
“The robbers also carted away several mobile phones, wristwatches, $400, and other valuables estimated at approximately N3.493 million, all at gunpoint,” the statement said.
Following the report, according to the statement, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed that the case be transferred to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) for further investigation.
The police said the VCRU commenced an intelligence-led investigation which led to the arrest of the suspects.
“Consequently, on 2 October 2026 at about 2100hrs (9:00 p.m.), acting on credible intelligence generated through painstaking investigation and aided by technology, operatives were led to a suspected criminal hideout in the Sabo area of Ibadan, where three suspects were arrested,” the police said.
The suspects were identified as Akinrinola Oluwatobi, 28; Okunola Mathew, 24; and Ibrahim Rabiu, 23.
The police said one iPhone 7 Plus belonging to one of the victims was recovered from the suspects.
According to the statement, an identification parade was conducted where surviving victims identified the suspects as members of the gang that attacked the residence.
READ ALSO:Â Driver crushes police officer to death at checkpoint in Lagos
“The suspects also confessed to their involvement and various roles played in the said robbery operation, stating that they participated in the attack, carted away valuables worth approximately N3.493 million, and killed the deceased woman in the course of the operation,” the police said.
They also confessed to involvement in several other robbery incidents around Wofun, Olodo and Akobo areas of Ibadan, providing additional leads to the investigation.
The statement said the Commissioner of police has directed the VCRU and other relevant units of the Command to intensify efforts towards apprehending other members of the gang who are still at large, as well as persons suspected to be involved in receiving or disposing of proceeds of their criminal activities.
The command assured residents of its commitment to deploying intelligence, technology and community partnership in fighting violent crime, while urging the public to provide timely and credible information.
