By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms following the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, a live cartridge, and suspected illicit drugs.
The operational success was achieved on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at about 9:30 p.m., by operatives attached to the Bodija Housing Police Division.
The officers, who were conducting an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation along Oshuntokun Avenue in the Bodija area of Ibadan, intercepted a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number DTN 678 QA, carrying three male occupants.
In a bid to evade law enforcement, one of the suspects hurriedly threw a small bag into a nearby drainage, while two of the occupants managed to flee the scene on the motorcycle.
However, the police operatives successfully apprehended the third suspect, identified as Hammed Lateef.
A thorough search of the discarded bag led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge, several sachets of substances suspected to be Tramadol, and a passport photograph believed to belong to one of the fleeing suspects.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Monday, July 13, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, noted that the command “has recorded another operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to curb criminal activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the State.”
The police spokesperson added that “investigation is ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to identify, track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, “reassures residents of the Command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-led policing and urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police.”
