The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspects who allegedly killed a 44-year-old woman, Mrs Wahab Rukayat, during an armed robbery operation at Wofun Olodo area of Ibadan.
The suspects, identified as Akinrinola Oluwatobi, 28; Okunola Mathew, 24; and Ibrahim Rabiu, 23, were arrested on October 2, 2026, at a suspected criminal hideout in the Sabo area of Ibadan.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement issued on October 3, the suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
The statement said the robbery occurred at about 2:30am on August 4, 2026, when armed robbers attacked the residence of one Alhaji Olatokunbo at Wofun Olodo.
During the attack, the assailants allegedly killed Olatokunbo’s wife, Rukayat, while other occupants of the residence sustained serious injuries.
The robbers also reportedly made away with several mobile phones, wristwatches, $400 and other valuables estimated at about N3.493 million.
DSP Ayanlade said the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, subsequently directed that the case be transferred to the VCRU for further investigation and the arrest of those responsible.
He said the unit embarked on sustained intelligence gathering, aided by technology, which eventually led investigators to the suspected hideout in Sabo where the three suspects were arrested.
One iPhone 7 Plus belonging to a victim of the Wofun Olodo robbery was also recovered from the suspects, according to the statement.
The Police spokesperson added that an identification parade was conducted, during which surviving victims identified the three suspects among other persons presented.
He said the suspects also allegedly confessed to participating in the robbery, disclosing their respective roles in the operation and admitting that the gang carted away valuables worth approximately N3.493 million.
According to DSP Ayanlade, the suspects further confessed to involvement in other robbery incidents around the Wofun Olodo and Akobo areas of Ibadan, providing investigators with additional leads.
He said the Commissioner of Police had directed the VCRU and other relevant units to intensify efforts to arrest other members of the gang who are still at large.
The Police are also investigating persons suspected of receiving or disposing of proceeds from the gang’s alleged criminal activities.
DSP Ayanlade said the Command remained committed to combating violent crime through intelligence, technology, professional investigation and community partnership.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police to assist in the prevention, detection and investigation of crime.
