Oyo Police arrest three over Ibadan armed robbery, murder - The Guardian Nigeria News
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for a deadly attack at Wofun Olodo area of Ibadan, during which a 44-year-old woman, Mrs Wahab Rukayat, was killed.
The suspects, identified as Akinrinola Oluwatobi, 28; Okunola Mathew, 24; and Ibrahim Rabiu, 23, were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout in Sabo area of Ibadan following an intelligence-led investigation by the Commandβs Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
The incident occurred in August when armed robbers allegedly attacked the residence of one Alhaji Olatokunbo at Wofun Olodo. According to the police, the assailants killed his wife, Rukayat, while other occupants of the house sustained serious injuries.
The robbers reportedly fled with several mobile phones, wristwatches, $400 and other valuables estimated at about N3.493 million.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the transfer of the case to the VCRU for further investigation and the arrest of those responsible.
The police said sustained intelligence gathering and the use of technology generated leads that enabled operatives to identify and raid the suspected hideout in Sabo on October 2, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m.
One iPhone 7 Plus, which the police said belonged to one of the victims of the Wofun Olodo attack, was recovered from the suspects.
The Command also said an identification parade was conducted as part of the preliminary investigation, during which surviving victims identified the three suspects among other persons presented.
According to the police, the suspects also confessed to participating in the robbery and disclosed the various roles they allegedly played during the operation, including the killing of Rukayat.
The suspects were also said to have confessed to their involvement in other robbery incidents around Wofun Olodo and Akobo areas of Ibadan, providing additional leads to the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police has directed the VCRU and other relevant units to intensify efforts to apprehend other members of the gang who are still at large, as well as persons suspected of receiving or disposing of proceeds of their alleged criminal activities.
The Command, in a statement issued, on Saturday by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, assured residents that it would continue to deploy intelligence, technology, professional investigation and community partnership in combating violent crime across the state.
It also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the police to assist in the prevention, detection and investigation of crime.
