Ibadan Police Arrest Three Teenage Suspects, Recover Locally Made Gun in Armed Robbery Crackdown

Unregistered tricycle intercepted as suspects confess to phone and motorcycle snatching across Oyo State

Police in Oyo State have arrested three suspected armed robbers in Ibadan, recovering a locally fabricated firearm during an operation aimed at curbing violent crime in the state capital.

The suspects—Abdulrahman Rasheed (19), Biodun Fatai (18) and Muiz Salawudeen (18)—were taken into custody by operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, according to a statement released on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Olayinka Ayanlade.

Police said the arrest followed the interception of an unregistered tricycle, popularly known as “Keke Maruwa,” which was allegedly being used by the suspects to move around while carrying out criminal activities.

During the operation, officers recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun, modified into a compact weapon designed for easy concealment.

According to the police, the suspects confessed during interrogation to their involvement in multiple armed robbery incidents in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State.

“During interrogation by the Monitoring Unit, the suspects admitted to being involved in several cases of armed robbery,” Ayanlade said.

“They further confessed to specialising in the snatching of mobile phones and motorcycles, as well as dispossessing residents of their valuables at gunpoint.”

The police spokesperson added that the suspects are currently being held in custody and are cooperating with investigators. They are expected to be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

The arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by the Oyo State Police Command to tackle street crime and reassure residents of improved security across the state.