Stolen items recovered as Police arrest 3 robbery suspects in Osun

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered stolen items from them.

The command, in its efforts to “make the state a sanctuary and in collaboration with other local security outfits in the State successfully dislodged criminal elements in various part of the state.”

This was disclosed in a press release on Thursday in Osogbo by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.

The arrested suspects are Akinwale Morufu, 43; Banji Tope, 40, and Banji Olumide, 30.

Items recovered, according to police, are 1 android Techno POP 8; 1 Moniepoint ATM card; 1 locally made cut to size pistol; 1 catapult; 1 knife, and 1 padlock.

Other items are 1 voter’s card; 1 black bag, and 1 unregistered blue TVS Machine.

“On the 19th day of April, 2026 upon information received from members of a community that there was one black bag inside an uncompleted building that contained (1) One locally made cut to size pistol (2) One Tecno Android POP 8 (3) One Knife (4) One Moniepoint ATM card (5) One catapult (6) One Padlock (7) One Voter’s card, a team of officers from Iragbiji Police Divisional Headquarters swung into action and the bag was recovered to the station.

“During the course of intelligence led investigation, the owner of the said voter’s card was arrested, and he admitted that he is the owner of the said black bag and the locally made cut to size pistol found inside it as well as the catapult but denied the ownership of Tecno Android POP 8 and Moniepoint ATM card.

“Meanwhile Technical analysis was carried out and the owner of Tecno Android POP 8 was contacted and she confirmed the ownership but stated further that the said phone was stolen from her house on 04/04/2026 in a case of armed robbery that took place in her residence on the said date at about 05:0Ohrs that, armed robber burgled into her apartment and collected her Tecno Android POP 8 and also the Sum of #89,000 (Eighty Nine Thousand Naira only) together with his Moniepoint ATM card at gun point and the case was reported.

“Investigation is ongoing to arrest other members at large,” the release said.

In the same vein, on the 19th of April 2026 at about 2230hrs, according to Ojelabi, a distress call was received from a victim who sells cooking gas at Isale Oyo Iragbiji that, some thieves numbering about four suddenly entered his shop and demanded the money he realised from sales for the day.

Police said one of the armed men brought out a locally made single barrel gun and shot the victim on both legs and made away with his cash, two iPhone 11 pro max and one unregistered blue TVS Lady Motorcycle.

“Team of Police Detectives and Joint Security Vigilante swung into action, following leads and gathering intel, one of the suspects one Banji Tope ‘M’ of Ilesa who fled to Ikirun was arrested, also the stolen unregistered blue motorcycle was recovered from him.

“Credible investigation similarly led to the arrest of one of the gang members named Banji Olumide ‘M’. Meanwhile, victim is currently receiving treatment.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects. All suspects will be charged to court after the completion of investigation,” the PPRO said.

The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Police Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, mnips has reiterated its pledge to continue collaborating with relevant critical stakeholders in the state to maintain peace and order across the state.