The Oyo State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the unlawful possession of 250 live cartridges, in what authorities say is a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal arms proliferation in the state.
The suspects — Ganiyu Sodiq, 35, and Salaudeen Sheriff, 23, both residents of Komu — were arrested on June 10, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation at Budo Pako, Oke-Oyan, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade said the suspects could not provide any lawful explanation for possessing the ammunition, and investigators believe they may be involved in trafficking and supplying arms to criminal networks operating within and beyond Oyo State.
Ayanlade said investigations were ongoing to uncover the wider network behind the alleged trafficking, identify collaborators, and determine the source and intended destination of the recovered cartridges.
The suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbemiga described illegal arms as major enablers of violent crime and assured residents that the command would continue to deploy all lawful means to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders. He also called on the public to support security agencies with timely information.
