Amotekun arrests native doctor, accomplice after armed robbery attack in Ibadan

Amotekun arrests native doctor, accomplice after armed robbery attack in Ibadan

Operatives of the Oyo State Command of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, have arrested a native doctor and another suspect in connection with an armed robbery in Ibadan. The arrests were made less than two hours after a five-man gang raided apartments at Liberty Academy area on Thursday, November 6.

The native doctor, identified as Abdullahi (surname withheld), denied being a member of the robbery gang, but admitted that the criminals kept looted items in his residence after the operation. He also confirmed that the gang’s alleged leader, known as Okanlawon Olayinka, had been visiting him regularly for spiritual concoctions (eyonu), which he believed were for “favour” rituals.

According to the Operation Officer of Amotekun Oyo State, Mogaji Kazeem Babalola Akinro, operatives swung into action immediately after receiving distress calls at about 10 p.m. on the night of the incident. He said the robbers attacked multiple homes, carting away phones, power banks, a Toyota Highlander SUV, a plasma TV and a PlayStation gaming console.

Akinro explained that the gang fled toward the Kobomoje area, where two suspects were eventually arrested. The stolen SUV was found parked within a compound, with a cutlass believed to have been used during the robbery.

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He added that Abdullahi was identified as the gang’s “spiritual support,” who received the suspects after the operation and kept their stolen items. “He led us to the second suspect, Abimbola, whom he said was a close associate of the gang leader,” Akinro disclosed.

Narrating his involvement, Abdullahi said the robbers stormed his home around 1:30 a.m., appearing “wild” and heavily armed. “They didn’t allow me to talk. They just entered and hid the stolen phones and other items in my apartment,” he said, adding that some were later discovered in his ceiling.

He also admitted that Okanlawon and Abimbola usually visited him every Sunday from Lagos to receive spiritual mixtures. “I thought he was a Yahoo boy. The highest he ever paid me was N5,000,” he stated.

The second suspect, Abimbola, aged 30, also denied involvement in the robbery. He said he only sold marijuana and knew Okanlawon as a customer. “I didn’t know he was an armed robber. He told me he was a plumber,” Abimbola said. He added that robbery victims who were brought to identify suspects confirmed he was not among the attackers.

Mr. Ayodeji Ojelabi, manager of Aresa Court Apartments—one of the affected buildings—confirmed that lodgers were dispossessed of their phones and personal items during the late-night attack. Similarly, Mr. Kayode Adepoju, a relative of another victim, recounted how the robbers stole a vehicle parked inside a residential compound.

He praised the swift response of the Amotekun Corps, which led to the recovery of the stolen SUV and disrupted the criminals’ escape.

Both suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, for further investigation.

Amotekun arrests native doctor, accomplice after armed robbery attack in Ibadan