The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a recent cattle rustling incident in Ado-Awaye, authorities confirmed on Monday.
In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the suspects were identified as Sekooni Wale, 30, the driver of a Mazda bus, and Jimoh Toheeb, 25, the motor boy. Investigations later led to the apprehension of the principal suspect, Moshood Abdullahi, 38, in Maya Town, Lanlate, and his accomplice, Macho Sindi, 29. Abdullahi, reportedly from Badagry, is described as a notorious cattle rustler.
According to Ayanlade, the arrests followed a swift response by the Ado-Awaye Division to a distress report received in the early hours of Thursday, 13 March 2026. Muhammad Ibrahim of Igbojaye alerted the police that armed hoodlums had invaded the camp of one Yahaya in Iserin area and stolen several cows.
“The Divisional Police Officer, Ado-Awaye Division, immediately mobilised a combined team of Police operatives and local security partners, including vigilantes, to the scene. The coordinated response led to the timely interception of the suspects and the successful recovery of the rustled cattle,” Ayanlade said.
At the scene, two cattle herders, Ibrahim Musa and Ibrahim Umaru, were found tied together by the fleeing suspects. Officers discovered two cows already loaded into a white Mazda bus with registration number KMA 178 ZY and three more being prepared for transport. The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush upon noticing the approaching patrol.
The joint effort eventually led to the arrest of Wale and Toheeb, with further investigation resulting in the capture of Abdullahi and Sindi. During interrogation, all four suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime.
The state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, commended the prompt action of the operatives and local security partners, highlighting the importance of community collaboration in combating rural crime. He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies.
Earlier, the command also foiled a highway robbery along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway, arresting a suspected armed robber during a joint patrol operation with local vigilantes.
This operation underscores the pivotal role of joint security efforts in protecting lives, property, and livestock across Oyo State’s rural communities.
