Fresh details have emerged surrounding the abduction of school pupils and the killing of two teachers alongside an okada rider in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as investigators uncovered how suspected informants allegedly communicated with the abductors through phone calls.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, investigators traced the suspects through telephone conversations believed to have taken place with the bandits during and after the operation.
Police said the conversations allegedly contained information on routes within the National Park and directions to hidden locations reportedly used by the abductors as safe havens.
The development reportedly led to the arrest of at least six suspects, who are currently in police custody and assisting security agencies with ongoing investigations into the attack.
Confirming the arrests on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the suspects were apprehended during coordinated security operations conducted across different parts of the state.
“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” Ayanlade said.
He further disclosed that preliminary findings suggested some of the suspects allegedly acted as informants for the bandits responsible for the abduction and killings.
“Our findings showed that some of the suspects were in contact with the abductors through telephone conversations and investigators are analysing those communications as part of efforts to uncover the full network behind the crime,” he stated.
Ayanlade also revealed that security agencies discovered discussions allegedly focused on routes through the National Park and locations believed to have served as hideouts for the criminals.
“The conversations contained information on how the abductors could move through the National Park undetected and reach safe locations,” he added.
The police spokesperson explained that the arrests were made during joint security operations involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Western Nigeria Security Network, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Agro-Rangers.
“The arrests were made possible through intelligence-driven operations carried out by joint security operatives working collaboratively to dismantle the criminal network,” Ayanlade said.
He assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate linked to the attack.
“We are committed to ensuring that every individual connected to this criminal act is identified, arrested and brought to justice. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.
The incident, which claimed the lives of two teachers and an okada rider while several school pupils were abducted last Friday, has continued to raise concerns among residents of affected communities and neighbouring areas in Oyo State.
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