One hundred and forty-seven passengers, believed to be farmers and traders from Zamfara State, were intercepted on Tuesday by members of the public in Ibadan, Oyo State and handed over to the state Police Command.
This was contained in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP. Adewale Osifeso, AZ: 5250/OY/PPRO/ VOL. 6/142, dated 3 August, 2022.
The Oyo Police image-maker stated that, at about 1500hrs, on Tuesday, a blue-coloured Iveco Truck, with Reg No. BWR 143XD, was intercepted by members of the public along Iyana Bodija-Iso Pako axis of the Ibadan metropolis.
He said the truck, driven by one Abdulahi Aliu 30), conveyed about 147 passengers comprising 140 males between 12-30 years, four adult females and three female children.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the truck and its passengers, predominantly farmers and traders, were from Kaura Namuda, Zamfara State and heading to Ogere, Ogun State.
He said after a thorough searching and profiling by a combined team of security agencies, the passengers were escorted out of the state and have been handed over to security operatives in Ogun State.
“The blue truck was thoroughly searched and its passengers profiled by a combined team of the police, men of the Department of State Services and Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed “Amotekun”, to eliminate possibilities of ferrying escapees from any recorded jailbreaks within the country.
“The search revealed that the truck was conveying eight motorcycles and bags of beans and onions to be dropped off with their owners at Bodija Market.
“Upon the conclusion of the process, the truck and its passengers were escorted out of the state and have since been handed over and received by security operatives in Ogun State,” Osifeso stayed in the release.
He said the interception was in consonance with the solid communal partnerships with stakeholders, confidence building patrols and technology infused surveillance duties that are among the strategies amassed towards comprehensive security provisions for the residents and guests of the state.
The police image-maker restated that the state Police Command, led by CP Adebowale Williams, maintains a proactive stance towards ensuring that the lives and property of the people of the state are properly secured.
He said the Commissioner of Police appreciate the people of the state for their unwavering cooperation towards providing credible and timely information.
The Oyo Police boss, he said, however warned against spreading falsehood and unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic amongst residence.
“In cases of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (toll free) (OYO STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND) and Oyo State Police Command emergency lines 07055495413 and 08081768614.
“The NPF rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and i-Phone users, respectively,” SP Osifeso stated.
