Police Bust Robbery Syndicate Using Tricycles, Arrest Six in Ibadan Hotel Raid

Police Bust Robbery Syndicate Using Tricycles, Arrest Six in Ibadan Hotel Raid

The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a suspected robbery syndicate that reportedly used tricycles to dispossess unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables across Ibadan metropolis, arresting six suspects during a coordinated hotel raid.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit acted on credible intelligence that led them to a hotel located in the 7UP/Academy area of Ibadan, where the suspects were allegedly hiding.

The police spokesperson explained that the operation was swift and intelligence-driven, resulting in the arrest of five male suspects and one female suspect. The suspects have been identified as Kelvin Daniel (21), Idris Ramon (25), Christopher Solomon (35), Mohamed Telim (21), Taored Aderibigbe (30), and Adekunle Tolani (27), the only female among them.

Ayanlade said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a criminal network that specialised in using tricycles—commonly used for commercial transport—to carry out robberies by blending in with regular operators and targeting unsuspecting passengers and pedestrians.

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Items recovered from the suspects include 18 mobile phones of different brands, one Opay ATM card, and one National Identification Number (NIN) card. Authorities also recovered a tricycle with registration number OYO SHK 508 QP, which was allegedly used as the operational vehicle by the syndicate.

The police noted that the recovery of multiple mobile devices and identification materials suggests a pattern of repeated criminal activity, and investigations are ongoing to trace the owners of the recovered items and identify additional victims linked to the gang’s operations.

Ayanlade added that during interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a robbery syndicate that had been terrorising residents within Ibadan and surrounding areas. The confession, alongside the recovered exhibits, is expected to form part of the evidence to be presented in court.

The command commended members of the public for their role in providing timely and credible intelligence, describing community cooperation as a critical factor in the success of the operation. It reiterated that effective policing relies heavily on collaboration between security agencies and residents.

Authorities further urged residents across Oyo State to remain vigilant and continue sharing useful information that can aid in preventing and detecting crimes. The police assured that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order across the state, emphasizing that intelligence-led policing operations will be sustained to curb criminal activities and enhance public safety in urban and rural communities.

Police Bust Robbery Syndicate Using Tricycles, Arrest Six in Ibadan Hotel Raid