The Oyo State Police Command has thwarted a robbery attempt along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway and arrested a suspected armed robber during a joint patrol operation.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at Egbeda Village when a joint patrol team made up of police officers and local vigilantes encountered suspected robbers who had blocked the road.
The suspects reportedly stopped a tanker carrying diesel driven by Surajudeen Sulaiman and forcefully took valuables from the driver and his assistants.
Police said a gunfight broke out as the suspects attempted to escape. During the exchange of gunfire, one of the alleged robbers, identified as Dere Yahaya, aged 32, was arrested.
Other members of the gang reportedly fled into nearby bushes, some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation.
Following the incident, security operatives launched a search operation in the surrounding forest areas while intensifying efforts to capture the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, praised the quick response and courage of the officers and local security partners who participated in the operation.
Authorities noted that the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway has increasingly become a hotspot for traffic accidents, vehicle hijackings, and robbery attacks in Oyo State.
Police also stated that the latest arrest is part of ongoing security operations in the area. It follows another operation in February 2026 in which officers reportedly recovered goods valued at about ₦31.75 million from a robbery gang in Ogbomoso.
The police urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities to security agencies. In emergency situations, members of the public were advised to contact the state’s response centre through the toll-free line 615 or the command’s control room numbers.
