The Osun State Police Command has arrested three individuals suspected of involvement in armed robbery and recovered a range of stolen items in separate operations carried out across the state.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued in Osogbo by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who said the arrests were made through intelligence-led investigations and joint efforts with local security outfits.
According to the police, the suspects—Akinwale Morufu (43), Banji Tope (40), and Banji Olumide (30)—were linked to criminal activities uncovered during ongoing surveillance operations.
Items recovered from the suspects include a Tecno POP 8 Android phone, a Moniepoint ATM card, a locally made cut-to-size pistol, a catapult, a knife, a padlock, a voter’s card, a black bag, and an unregistered blue TVS motorcycle.
Detailing the operation, the police said officers from the Iragbiji Divisional Headquarters acted on information from community members about a suspicious black bag found in an uncompleted building.
“On the 19th day of April, 2026 upon information received from members of a community that there was one black bag inside an uncompleted building that contained (1) One locally made cut to size pistol (2) One Tecno Android POP 8 (3) One Knife (4) One Moniepoint ATM card (5) One catapult (6) One Padlock (7) One Voter’s card, a team of officers from Iragbiji Police Divisional Headquarters swung into action and the bag was recovered to the station.
“During the course of intelligence led investigation, the owner of the said voter’s card was arrested, and he admitted that he is the owner of the said black bag and the locally made cut to size pistol found inside it as well as the catapult but denied the ownership of Tecno Android POP 8 and Moniepoint ATM card.
“Meanwhile Technical analysis was carried out and the owner of Tecno Android POP 8 was contacted and she confirmed the ownership but stated further that the said phone was stolen from her house on 04/04/2026 in a case of armed robbery that took place in her residence on the said date at about 05:0Ohrs that, armed robber burgled into her apartment and collected her Tecno Android POP 8 and also the Sum of #89,000 (Eighty Nine Thousand Naira only) together with his Moniepoint ATM card at gun point and the case was reported.
“Investigation is ongoing to arrest other members at large,” the release said.
In a related development, the police also responded to a violent robbery incident on the same day at about 10:30 p.m. in Isale Oyo, Iragbiji. According to Ojelabi, a gas vendor reported that a group of armed men stormed his shop, demanded cash, and shot him in both legs before fleeing with money, two iPhone 11 Pro Max devices, and a motorcycle.
“Team of Police Detectives and Joint Security Vigilante swung into action, following leads and gathering intel, one of the suspects one Banji Tope ‘M’ of Ilesa who fled to Ikirun was arrested, also the stolen unregistered blue motorcycle was recovered from him.
“Credible investigation similarly led to the arrest of one of the gang members named Banji Olumide ‘M’. Meanwhile, victim is currently receiving treatment.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects. All suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigation,” the PPRO said.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Gotan, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security, stressing that collaboration with community stakeholders remains key to tackling crime effectively.
