Oyo kidnappings: Police uncover alleged role of informants in attack

Fresh details have emerged on the abduction of school pupils and the killing of two teachers and an okada rider in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as police investigators say suspected informants allegedly aided the kidnappers during and after the operation.

 

The Oyo State Police Command said investigators traced phone conversations believed to have been exchanged between some suspects and the abductors, which reportedly provided operational support for the attackers.

 

According to the police, the discussions allegedly included guidance on routes through the National Park and locations used as hideouts to evade security operatives.

 

The State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that no fewer than six suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident and were currently assisting investigations.

 

“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” he said.

 

Ayanlade said preliminary findings suggested that some of the suspects served as informants to the bandits, maintaining contact with them during and after the operation.

 

“Our findings showed that some of the suspects were in contact with the abductors through telephone conversations, and investigators are analysing those communications as part of efforts to uncover the full network behind the crime,” he said.

 

He added that security agencies discovered that the conversations reportedly focused on movement routes within the National Park and safe passages used by the criminals.

 

“The conversations contained information on how the abductors could move through the National Park undetected and reach safe locations,” he said.

 

The police spokesman said the arrests were carried out during coordinated operations involving the Nigerian Army, Police, Amotekun Corps, NSCDC and Agro-Rangers.

 

He added that efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network still at large.

 

The attack, which occurred last Friday, led to the killing of two teachers and an okada rider, while several school pupils were abducted, sparking renewed concern over insecurity in parts of Oyo State.