Oyo police detain driver with illegal firearms

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a driver with unlicensed firearms in Ibadan, the state capital.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed this to journalists in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the arrest was aided by the successful implementation of intelligence-driven stop-and-search operations on highways, primary roads and essential intersections within the state.

“These efforts have yielded significant results, greatly increasing community safety and security,” the statement read.

It added, “On Thursday, September 18, 2025, at approximately 9:11 pm, a team from the Federal Highway Patrol conducted a stop-and-search at the Toll Gate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ibadan.

“During this operation, a Toyota bus (registration number AFZ 933 XA) was stopped, and upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered several illegal items, including two locally-made single-barrelled firearms, two brand new short stainless-steel machetes, and 20 live cartridges.

“The driver was unable to provide a valid driving licence or the necessary vehicle documentation at the time of the arrest, and has been taken into custody along with the bus.”

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command says it arrested 957 suspected terrorists, armed robbers and kidnappers in two months.

According to the News Agency of the News Agency of Nigeria, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who disclosed this to journalists in Owerri on Friday, said nine kidnap victims and seven stolen children were also rescued and reunited with their family members.

“One of the breakthroughs was the arrest of notorious IPOB/ESN terrorists and recovery of arms, ammunition and incriminating items.

“Investigations further led to the arrest of some of their sponsors and financiers, drastically reducing their nefarious activities and cutting off funding channels.

“In synergy with other security agencies, the command also dislodged IPOB/ESN camps and kidnapping dens in Okigwe, Mbaitoli, Owerri West and Njaba Local Government Areas, and other areas in the state, striking a decisive blow to their capacity for further attacks,” he said.

The police boss disclosed that operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, led by Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, and the Special Intervention Squad, led by Gboyako Adamu, stormed an IPOB/ESN camp at Obudi Agwa in Oguta LGA and engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle.

“Sixteen suspects, including their sub-commander, Uzoechi Okechukwu, were arrested,” Danjuma said.

He added that two of the suspects, Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, 25, and Chinonso Ozuruigbo, 32, were currently under detention for the alleged kidnapping of Anayo Iwuoha, 48, on June 18, 2025, at Akabo, Ikeduru LGA.

“The suspects collected ransom of N3m and were still demanding N10m as a condition for the victim’s release,” he said.

The police boss said that following incessant kidnapping, armed robbery attacks and other heinous crimes, the command on September 9, arrested and detained a suspected member of IPOB/ESN, Chukwuebika Eruruogu, 27.

He alleged that Eruruogu was terrorising Mbaitoli, Njaba and Orlu LGAs before his detention.

Cupped from punch.