Arms dealers who specialize in distributing ammunition have been nabbed by the Oyo State Police Command on Thursday. The four unauthorized dealers were paraded after arrest for concealing 10,000 live cartridges for supply to allegedly criminally minded elements in the state.
Cooling their heels in police net are 21 other criminal suspects who were equally arrested by the officers of the state Police Command at various places across the state.
Among the suspects are two young ladies found in possession of one double barrel pistol on their way from Mushin, Lagos State to Iseyi area of Oyo State allegedly to carry out their criminal operations.
Addressing newsmen at the State Command headquarters Eleyele Ibadan, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Shina Olukolu advised residents to be wary of criminal elements, and to be security conscious in view of the imminent festive season, and be mindful of whom they transact business with to avoid being swindled .
The arms dealers, who were arrested on July 23, 2019, at Oke-Bola area of the city, included Adekunle Abimbola, Abel Kojo , Mukaila Ariyo, and Ade Adebayo .
While confessing that they have been on the business of ammunition/arms supply for many years without license, the suspects disagreed that armed robbers and bandits were their buyers, rather they told newsmen that hunters were their clients.
However, the state Police Chief who insisted that the ammunition were supplied to armed robbers disclosed that they would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He gave credit to the aggressive drive put up by state police command through proactive approach and sustainable community policing strategy.
This, he noted, has continued to yield positive results and giving the police an edge above criminals in the state.
Continuing, the police chief said, “The officers and men under my watch have continued to put up spirited efforts to ensure high level of professionalism and tolerance is demonstrated when carrying out their constitutional responsibility of the protection of life and property.
“Without mincing words, criminals in Oyo State have not been having a safe haven to carry out their dastardly acts of unleashing terror on innocent citizens due to constant raids and routine patrols of all nooks and crannies.
“However, the command is conscious of the possibility of increase of crime rate often associated with the festive season. Sequel to this, as part of our proactive measures to allay the fears of the people, we have Carrie out a review of our security architecture to guarantee security of lives and property of the citizens before, during and after the forth coming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.”
