Police Arrest Suspected Armed Robber, Recover Stolen Motorcycle in Ibadan

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a stolen motorcycle following a robbery attack on a commercial motorcyclist in Ibadan.

The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 16, at about 11:30 a.m., after the police received credible information that a commercial motorcyclist, identified as Muhammadu Kamilu, had been attacked and dispossessed of his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle by a passenger along Adeniji Estate, Apata, Ibadan.

The police said the suspect allegedly struck the victim with an iron hammer before making away with the motorcycle.

Following the report, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were mobilised to the scene, leading to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Shafiu Nuhu.

The operatives also recovered the stolen Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with registration number AJW 842 QU and the iron hammer allegedly used in carrying out the attack.

The Command said the victim sustained injuries during the incident, while a passer-by, Nathaniel Ibrahim, who attempted to rescue the commercial motorcyclist, was also injured.

Both men were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they received medical treatment.

Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect confessed to operating alone and specialising in attacking commercial motorcyclists within Ibadan and its surrounding areas.

According to the statement, “Subsequent interrogation of the suspect yielded useful information, as he confessed to operating as a lone armed robber specializing in attacking and robbing commercial motorcyclists within Ibadan and its environs.”

The Command added that investigations were ongoing to determine the suspect’s possible involvement in other robbery cases and to recover additional exhibits linked to his operations.

Commending members of the public for their support, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, praised the courage of the good Samaritan who intervened during the attack and the timely information provided by residents.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with credible information.

According to the statement, the Commissioner “commends the vigilance, courage, and timely intervention of the good Samaritan, as well as the prompt dissemination of credible information by members of the public, which greatly facilitated the successful operation.”

The police boss reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

“The Oyo State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and will continue to deploy intelligence-driven and proactive policing strategies to ensure that criminal elements are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice,” the statement added.