The Osun State Police Command has arrested a suspected hoodlum in connection with a violent clash between rival factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osogbo, an incident that left three security operatives with gunshot injuries.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan disclosed the development on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the command’s recent operational successes. He said the violence erupted after a faction of the NURTW protested on July 20, alleging that the dominant faction had denied its members access to a motor park in Osogbo.
According to the police commissioner, the protest escalated into clashes between rival factions before police operatives intervened and restored order. However, the situation worsened later that day when armed hoodlums reportedly stormed the Oke-Ijetu area of Osogbo and began shooting sporadically.
Gotan said operatives of the Anti-Robbery and Violent Crime Response Unit responded immediately to a distress call but came under gunfire from suspected members of a group allegedly linked to one Wakili Alowonle. Three security operatives sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the exchange and are receiving treatment.
The police arrested a 40-year-old suspect, Adedeji Saheed Opeyemi, during the operation. According to the commissioner, the suspect confessed that he was invited to the scene by an associate identified as Sibi after receiving instructions from Alowonle. He also allegedly admitted that Sibi handed him one of two pump-action guns before the confrontation.
Gotan said the suspect is assisting investigators in efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the group. Police also recovered six expended cartridges, four vehicles, four motorcycles, military camouflage and suspected criminal charms during the operation.
The commissioner further announced the arrest of three suspected motorcycle robbers identified as Kamarudeen Babatunde, 39, Lekan Usman, 22, and Moses Oyebade, 40.
He explained that police launched an investigation after receiving a report on July 19 that a Bajaj motorcycle bearing registration number MEK 987 VU had been stolen at Osunjela in Osogbo. Through intelligence-led operations, officers traced and recovered the motorcycle in Modakeke before arresting the two suspects and their alleged receiver, Oyebade, from Ondo Town in Ondo State.
Gotan also disclosed that police apprehended two suspected political thugs, Alawode Ridwan, 26, and Ajibade Ahmed, 33, following a distress call reporting that they were causing unrest around the Amadia area of Osogbo on July 16.
He assured residents that all suspects arrested in connection with the various incidents would be prosecuted after investigations are concluded. The police commissioner also urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent crime and enhance public safety.
