Police arrest suspected drug dealer in Oyo
September 14, 2026 12:19 am
The suspect and exhibits. Photo: Oyo State Police Command
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected drug dealer, identified as Rilwan ‘M’, in the Apata area of Ibadan, the state capital.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Sunday.
Ayanlade said the suspect was arrested at about 8am on September 11, 2026, following credible intelligence received by the command.
He said operatives of the Iyaganku Area Command commenced targeted surveillance after receiving the intelligence, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
He said, “The suspect, identified as Rilwan ‘M’, aged 28, of Apata area of Ibadan, was arrested yesterday, 11 September 2026, at about 0800hrs. Acting on the intelligence, surveillance operatives of the Iyaganku Area Command commenced targeted surveillance operations, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect.”
According to the PPRO, suspected illicit drugs were recovered from the suspect during the operation.
He said, “Recovered from him were a quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, alongside other suspected dangerous drugs.”
Ayanlade said the suspect was in police custody and cooperating with investigators as the command worked to establish the source of the suspected drugs and the extent of his alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade.
He added that the investigation would also seek to identify other persons who might be connected to the activities.
“The suspect is currently in police custody and cooperating with investigators as preliminary investigation continues to establish the source and extent of his involvement in the illicit drug trade, as well as identify other persons who may be connected to the activities,” he said.
The PPRO said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, said illicit drugs constituted a significant catalyst for various forms of crime and criminality.
He reiterated the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations against drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state.
“Illicit drugs constitute a significant catalyst for various forms of crime and criminality. The command is determined to sustain intelligence-led operations against drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state,” Olugbenga said.
The commissioner further assured residents that the command would continue to identify and disrupt the supply chains of elements that fuel criminal activities, particularly illicit drugs, while strengthening intelligence-led policing and proactive operations across the state.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and actionable information to the police to support the command’s efforts to combat crime and criminality in Oyo State.
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