Police trace Oyo school abduction suspects through phone calls with bandits

By Adeola Badru

New information has surfaced about 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. Investigators have revealed that suspected informants allegedly communicated with the abductors through telephone calls.

The Oyo State Police Command said it traced the suspects by following calls believed to have been made with the bandits during and after the operation.

Police reported that the conversations contained details on how the criminals could navigate routes within the National Park to reach hidden locations used as safe havens.

This breakthrough led to the arrest of six suspects, who are now in police custody and are assisting security agencies with the ongoing investigation of the incident.

Confirming the development on Tuesday morning, State Police Public Relations Officer CSP Olayinka Ayanlade said the suspects were apprehended during coordinated security operations across different parts of the state.

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

He added that preliminary investigations indicated the suspects acted as informants for the bandits responsible for the abduction and killings.

“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 stated.

Ayanlade further disclosed that security agencies uncovered discussions allegedly centred on routes through the National Park and locations believed to have been used by the criminals as hideouts.

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

The police spokesman explained that the suspects were arrested during joint operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Agro‑Rangers.

“The arrests were made possible through intelligence‑driven operations carried out by joint security operatives working collaboratively to dismantle the criminal network,” Ayanlade said.

He assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate linked to the attack.

“We are committed to ensuring that every individual connected to this criminal act is identified, arrested and brought to justice. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.

The incident, which claimed the lives of two teachers and an okada rider while school pupils were abducted last Friday, continues to raise concern among residents of the affected communities and neighbouring areas in Oyo State.

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