Inspite of the recent tragedy in Oloka town, Oyo State, where Forest Guards were murdered by multiple assailants, Oyo State has come under another security distress, as the Oyo State Police Command have confirmed the arrest of two suspected cow rustlers, identified as, Abu Muhammed and Aliu Bello.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayin, the Iresa-Adu Police division received reports and prompt action was taken, where the Police recovered 26 stolen cows valued at millions of Naira.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the public that two suspected cattle rustlers, Abu Muhammed and Aliu Bello, have been apprehended following a swift response to a report received at Iresadu Division.” The Police further stated that, “During the operation, twenty-six stolen cows, estimated at ₦6,250,000, were successfully recovered, reflecting the tangible results of coordinated police and community efforts in protecting property and livelihoods.”
In an attempt to get on the ground assessments of the situation from residents of Iresa-Adu, it became obvious that the security architecture in that area is currently weak due to lack of the First Class Monarch, Aresa of Iresa-Adu for almost 9 years.
Iresa-Adu is a town with many villages & towns under it, and it is located in the Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State. Iresa-Adu shares borders with Kwara State and Osun State. Iresa-Adu which is a major border town with Kwara State may pose danger to the security architecture of Oyo State if not properly managed
Kwara State have come under bandits and kidnappers attack reports in the news in recent months, which Iresa-Adu shares border with. According to claims, the Aresa of Iresa-Adu is a foremost monarch in Yoruba history and literature. But the throne has been vacant for almost 9 years, and the lack of a First Class monarch like the Aresa of Iresa-Adu will not allow the many towns and villages in that section of Oyo State to synergize and work together in an attempt to battle the common security challenges.
Banditry, Kidnapping, and many related crimes have been a challenging menace in the nation in recent times. According to the Nigerian Police, the Cattle Rustlers arrests was made possible through cooperation with local community security structures, which helped track the suspects as they attempted to evade detection.
“The operation underscores the effectiveness of proactive policing, intelligence-led investigations, and collaboration with community security agencies in tackling criminal activities.”
According to the Police, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were attempting to conceal stolen cattle when they were intercepted at Odojaye via Aganyan, Iresadu.”
Aganya is a village very close to Iresa-Adu central township, which is just 15 minutes away from Ogbomoso township. The reminder of the exposure of the town & it’s surrounding to criminal elements has made residents of the town renew their outcry towards the Oyo State Government to help resolve the Aresa-Adu of Iresa-Adu throne. It is widely speculated in the town that the Aresa-Adu has the power to bring together all border towns and villages under it to work together with the Oyo government and the Nigerian Police to forestall importation of criminal elements into Oyo State.
The Police Command confirmed that the Cattle Rustlers confessed to the crime, “Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the theft and provided details of their criminal network.”
The Oyo State Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional livestock believed to have been stolen by the group.
“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen livestock, demonstrating the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice.”