Police have confirmed the arrest of three suspected armed robbers in connection with the hijacking of a truck loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, along the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed their arrest in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.
The recovered product, as disclosed by the Police, belongs to NIPCO Petroleum Nigeria Limited.
The statement read: “On 5 April 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the Command’s Monitoring Unit received actionable intelligence regarding a hijacking incident involving a DAF truck with registration number ADAMAWA YLA 575 ZY on the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Road. Preliminary investigations indicated the involvement of an armed group equipped with sophisticated firearms.
“In response to this intelligence, specialised operatives from the Command’s Monitoring Unit were swiftly activated to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Their efforts led to the discovery of the hijacked truck at Lincoln Filling Station, Odo-Ona Kekere, Ibadan, where the suspects were in the process of siphoning Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“Police operatives apprehended two suspects, Oyekunle Olaoluwa, aged 35, and Akanji Ladele (real name undisclosed), aged 51, at the scene. During preliminary investigations, the suspects disclosed that the hijacked truck had been transferred to them by a third individual known as Femi, who allegedly masterminded the hijacking alongside his accomplices.
“This revelation led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Basiru Azeez, aged 30, a pivotal figure in the operation who has since confessed to his role in orchestrating the hijacking and provided details on how the truck was diverted following the crime.
The Oyo State Police Command, therefore, assures the public that investigations will continue diligently, focusing on dismantling this criminal network and holding all individuals involved accountable for their actions.
“The Command encourages members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the local police, emphasising that active participation is vital to the Command’s collective effort in combating crime.”
This operation highlights the Oyo State Police Command’s dedication to public safety through the dismantling of criminal enterprises and the maintenance of law and order within the State.
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