Police in south-west Nigeria say they have arrested three suspected armed robbers and recovered a gun, several mobile phones and cash during a patrol operation in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The operation, carried out by the Nigeria Police Force through the Oyo State Police Command, followed a stop-and-search patrol in the General Gas area of Akobo.

Authorities say the arrest highlights the role of intelligence-led policing in tackling crime across the state.

How the suspect was arrested

Police say patrol officers intercepted a motorcyclist who attempted to flee when he noticed them.

He was later identified as Abiodun Adeyemi Michael, a suspect reportedly known to security operatives.

According to police, the suspect had been on their radar and allegedly operated along the borders of Lagos State, Ogun State and Oyo State.

A search reportedly led to the recovery of a Magnum pump-action gun with six live cartridges, along with multiple phones and other items believed to have been stolen.

Among the recovered items were several iPhones, Tecno devices, Redmi phones, a Samsung Galaxy S10, a Wi-Fi device, wristwatches and ₦130,000 in cash.

Further arrests

Police say the suspect later told investigators he carried out robberies with three accomplices.

The gang allegedly targeted victims around the Toll Gate and Egbeda areas of Ibadan, robbing people at gunpoint.

Acting on the information, officers from the command’s monitoring unit and the Akobo division carried out another operation at Access Hotel in the Sawmill area of Iwo Road.

Two more suspects — Olaoluwa Pamole and Ahmed Ismail — were arrested during the raid.

Police say a third suspect, identified only as Lamidi, is currently on the run.

What police say

In a statement, police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said the suspects had also admitted involvement in car theft.

He said the gang allegedly snatched a Honda car in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

The state police commissioner, Femi Haruna, has ordered a full investigation.

Police said the case would be transferred to the command monitoring unit for further investigation and prosecution.

The commissioner also directed officers to track down the fleeing suspect.

Why it matters

Robbery attacks in urban areas remain a major security concern for residents in parts of Nigeria.

Security analysts say proactive patrols and intelligence-driven policing can help reduce street crimes such as phone snatching and armed robbery.

Residents in areas like Egbeda and Akobo often rely on police visibility and rapid response to deter criminal activity.

What happens next

Police say investigations are ongoing and the suspects will face prosecution after the inquiry is completed.

Authorities also urged members of the public who recently lost valuables during robberies in the Egbeda and Toll Gate areas to contact the police.

Recovered items will be released to verified owners.

Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity through the Oyo State emergency response numbers.

Nigeria’s anti-drug agency says it has arrested a former councillor in Lagos after officers recovered large quantities of cannabis from his home.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki, following intelligence linking him to illicit drug trafficking.

The 45-year-old was arrested on 2 March 2026 at his residence in Ilado, in Ibeju-Lekki.

Officials said a search of the property uncovered 40 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside one of the rooms.

According to the agency, Olalekan admitted ownership of both the drugs and the house where they were found.

He also confirmed that he previously served two terms as councillor representing the Orimedu community in the local government council and currently works as a legislative aide.

Drugs hidden in baby diapers intercepted

In a separate operation in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers intercepted a businessman travelling with drugs concealed in baby diapers.

The suspect, Emeka Hyginus Okwor, 32, was stopped on 3 March while travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in Abuja.

A search of his luggage revealed 1,000 pills of tapentadol (250mg) hidden inside packs of baby diapers.

Investigators said the suspect admitted ownership and told officers he was transporting the drugs to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he operates a provision store.

Cameroonian traveller caught with synthetic cannabis

NDLEA officers also intercepted a 36-year-old Cameroonian national, identified as Mey Ali Muhamat, with synthetic cannabis concealed in a standing fan carton.

The arrest was made along the Kabba-Obajana highway in Kogi State on 3 March.

Officials said the suspect was travelling on a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon.

The seized substance, known as Colorado, weighed about 1.55kg.

IED components intercepted in Niger

In another operation, NDLEA patrol teams intercepted 500 components believed to be for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger State.

Officials said the items were hidden in a sack on a commercial bus travelling from Ibadan.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Osama Abdullahi, 21, who was allegedly waiting to receive the consignment in Pelegi, Mashegu Local Government Area.

Security analysts say such seizures are significant because IED components are frequently linked to insurgent activities and violent crime.

Nationwide drug seizures

Other arrests were recorded across several states as part of NDLEA’s nationwide crackdown.

In Adamawa State, officers discovered 122,000 pills of tramadol and 700 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the false bottom of a truck transporting local drinks.

In Kano State, a suspect identified as Muhammed Ali, 20, was arrested with 11,283 pills of tramadol.

Meanwhile in Ogun State, a raid in Ogere led to the arrest of Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa, with 46kg of skunk.

Police in Delta State also arrested two suspects — Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22 — with 18.63kg of cannabis, 10.8 litres of codeine syrup, and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.

Farms destroyed in Edo forest

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,910kg of cannabis cultivated on two farms inside the Egbisi forest.

Two suspects — Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49 — were arrested during the operation.

Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was also arrested in Ikhin town in Owan East Local Government Area with 176.5kg of cannabis.

NDLEA urges continued vigilance

The NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised officers involved in the operations across the country.

He urged personnel to maintain what he described as a balanced approach to drug control, combining enforcement with public education.

The agency also said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued during the week, with sensitisation lectures held in secondary schools across states including Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra.

Why this matters

Nigeria has seen a growing crackdown on drug trafficking networks as authorities attempt to curb the spread of narcotics and the criminal networks linked to them.

Security experts say intercepting drug shipments — and especially explosive components — is crucial for public safety and national security.

They also warn that the concealment methods used by traffickers, including hiding drugs in everyday items such as baby products or electronics packaging, show increasing sophistication in the trade.

What’s next

The NDLEA says investigations into the suspects are ongoing and that those involved will face prosecution under Nigeria’s drug control laws.

Authorities say further operations are expected as intelligence-led enforcement continues across the country.

Police in Delta State say they have recovered six locally made firearms and several hard drugs during a series of intelligence-led operations targeting illegal weapons production and drug trafficking.

The Nigeria Police Force said the raids also led to the arrest of a suspected gun fabricator and a suspected drug dealer as officers stepped up efforts to curb crime across the state.

Officials say the operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks involved in arms production and narcotics distribution.

Gun fabrication suspect arrested

Police said operatives from the Raiders Squad raided a suspected illegal firearms workshop in Emuhu Community in the early hours of 6 March.

The operation was led by the Raiders Squad Commander, SP Akanya Agbogha.

A 59-year-old suspect, Friday Ojei, was arrested during the raid.

Officers recovered four locally made guns along with equipment allegedly used for manufacturing firearms.

The tools included a welding machine, drilling machine, grinding machine and metal pipes believed to be used in gun fabrication.

Police said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the suspected firearms production network.

Gun recovered during patrol

In a separate operation, officers from the Nigeria Police Force carried out a stop-and-search patrol along Film Hall Road.

The patrol team included anti-cult volunteers and local hunters assisting the police.

Authorities said several suspected hoodlums fled the area when they noticed the security team.

During the pursuit, the suspects abandoned a black bag which officers later searched.

Inside the bag, police said they found a locally made short gun.

The firearm has been secured as evidence while efforts continue to track down the fleeing suspects.

Suspected drug dealer arrested

Police also arrested a woman during a raid on a suspected drug distribution point along Oruworowh Road.

The suspect, 43-year-old Esther Etafo, was detained after officers searched the premises.

Police say they recovered several substances believed to be illicit drugs, including cannabis, “kolos”, “ice”, and “loud”.

Three blenders believed to be used in processing the drugs were also found at the scene.

Officers also seized ₦55,000 in cash which investigators suspect may be proceeds from drug sales.

The suspect is currently being interrogated while further investigations continue.

Why it matters

Security analysts say illegal firearms manufacturing and drug trafficking are key drivers of violent crime in parts of southern Nigeria.

Locally fabricated weapons are often cheaper and easier to obtain than imported arms, making them a growing concern for law enforcement agencies.

Crackdowns such as these, analysts say, can disrupt criminal supply chains if sustained and supported with intelligence from the public.

Police response

The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Aina Adesola, praised officers involved in the operations.

He said:

“The Command commends the professionalism and vigilance displayed by the operatives involved in these operations.”

The commissioner also urged residents to support police efforts with timely information. “Members of the public should continue supporting the Police with credible information that will aid our efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.”

Police say the command remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state.

What’s next

Authorities say investigations are continuing to uncover other suspects linked to the firearm fabrication operation.

Police are also working to trace possible supply networks connected to the seized drugs.

Security agencies say additional intelligence-driven operations are planned across Delta communities.