The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects linked to a cattle rustling operation in Ado-Awaye, located in Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade.
According to the statement, two of the suspects Sekooni Wale, 30, who allegedly drove the Mazda bus used in the operation, and Jimoh Toheeb, 25, identified as the motor boy were initially apprehended.
Further investigations led operatives to Maya Town in the Lanlate area, where the alleged mastermind, Moshood Abdullahi, 38, was arrested.
His arrest subsequently resulted in the capture of another accomplice, Macho Sindi, 29.
Ayanlade described the arrests as a major breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to tackle rural criminality and safeguard lives and property.
He explained that the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., following a distress call from a resident, Muhammad Ibrahim, in the Igbojaye area.
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The caller reported that armed men had invaded a cattle camp belonging to a herder identified simply as Yahaya in the Iserin area via Ado-Awaye and made away with several cows.
In response, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ado-Awaye mobilised a joint team of police operatives and local security partners, including vigilantes, to the scene.
Upon arrival, the operatives discovered that the suspects had already loaded two cows into a white Mazda bus with registration number KMA 178 ZY and were attempting to load three additional cattle.
However, on sighting the approaching security team, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush.
Two cattle herders, identified as Ibrahim Musa and Ibrahim Umaru, were found at the scene tied up by the fleeing suspects.
A subsequent manhunt and bush combing operation led to the arrest of Wale and Toheeb, who later confessed to their involvement in the crime.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, commended the swift response and bravery of the operatives and local security partners, noting that their actions prevented the successful execution of the crime and ensured the recovery of the stolen livestock.
He also praised the collaboration between the police and community stakeholders, describing it as essential for maintaining law and order.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts in combating crime across the state.
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