The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 78 suspects linked to an attempt to cause trouble in the state following the dissolution of the Park Management System by the state government.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, said the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, while parading the suspects at the police headquarters in the state, said the suspects were arrested at the Diamond Hotel, Alakia-Isebo, in the Egbeda Local Government Area of the state, adding that one person was killed during the operation.

He noted that sophisticated firearms including 724 cartridges, assorted charms, 33 mobile phones, and a cash sum of about N3,450,000, were recovered from the suspects.

Osifeso said, “The Oyo State Police Command in its proactive nature while acting on intelligence-driven surveillance was able to foil an attempt at creating widespread carnage and civil disturbance in the state by some members of the Park Management System led by one Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, aka Auxiliary sequel to the immediate dissolution of the Disciplinary Committee of the PMS of the state.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that at the early hours of Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in a strategic intelligence coordinated raid around his location at Diamond Hotel, Alakia-Isebo, under Egbeda LGA, 78 notorious hoodlums who had perfected plans to unleash mayhem at the early hours of the day at major parts of the metropolis were arrested in possession of sophisticated firearms including 724 cartridges, assorted charms, 33 mobile phones, and a cash sum of about N3,450,000.

“Worthy of note is that, though the PMS Chieftain evaded arrest by fleeing the scene as at the time of the raid, a member of the group was neutralised in a gun duel with the police. Recall that the same group was responsible for the attack on 14 members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria along the Agodi axis under the Ibadan North-East LGA en route to the venue of yesterday’s inaugural celebrations.”

Osifeso said in line with standard operational procedure, all the recovered items were properly documented, packaged and recorded for onward forensics and for evidence purposes in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and all other relevant laws.

“In furtherance of the above, the Oyo State Police Command, under the constructive leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, reiterates its unwavering commitment towards tackling criminal rascality, hooliganism and blatant disregard for the rule of law.

“Consequent on the above, the Oyo State Police Command enjoins residents to cooperate with the police with the provision of useful information to help apprehend the sacked PMS Chieftain.

“Moving forward, residents shall witness high octane patrols, coordinated stop and search along designated points across the nook and cranny of the state,” Osifeso said.

He also noted that the CP had directed Area Commanders to personally lead convoy patrols and rings of supervision of police operatives within their respective areas of jurisdiction. (The PUNCH)

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