Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have foiled a highway robbery and arrested a suspect during a security operation along the Ogbomoso Ilorin Expressway.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka.

According to the police, the incident occurred near Egbeda Village along the route when a joint patrol team comprising police operatives and local vigilantes encountered suspected robbers who had reportedly blocked the road.

The attackers were said to have stopped a tanker loaded with diesel and driven by Surajudeen Sulaiman, dispossessing the driver and his assistants of their belongings.

Police said a gun battle followed as the suspects attempted to flee, leading to the arrest of one of them, identified as Dere Yahaya aged 32, while other members of the group escaped into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot injuries.

Security operatives subsequently launched a search operation in the surrounding area as efforts continued to track down the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, commended the swift response of the operatives and local security partners involved in the operation.

He also acknowledged the support and leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in strengthening policing efforts across the country.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.