According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, April 18, 2026, a suspected gang leader, Babangida, has expressed surprise over his swift arrest less than 12 hours after he and his accomplice carried out a violent robbery involving the theft of a motorcycle.
The suspect, who was apprehended while attempting to transport the stolen bike to a location where it could be sold, said he was still puzzled by how quickly law enforcement tracked him down following the incident.
Details of the arrest were made public by the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, during a media briefing held to highlight the Command’s recent efforts in curbing criminal activities across the state.
The Commissioner outlined several operations carried out by the police, including the capture of Babangida and his associate, Bello, who were linked to the robbery.
According to the police, the suspects were arrested by operatives attached to the Monitoring Unit of the Command.
They were accused of attacking a man, identified as Isaac Olakanmi, and forcibly taking his motorcycle.
The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, when the victim and his family were targeted.
The police explained that Olakanmi had been transporting his wife and son to their home in the Okin Apa area of Ogbomoso when the attackers intercepted them.
The location was described as isolated, making it easier for the suspects to carry out the assault without immediate interference.
During the attack, the assailants reportedly used cutlasses and sticks to overpower the victim and his family.
They subsequently made away with a Bajaj motorcycle belonging to Olakanmi, as well as two mobile phones, after the robbery, the suspects fled the scene.
Investigations revealed that the injured victim reported the incident to the Monitoring Unit shortly after it occurred.
Acting on the report, police operatives launched a search for the suspects. Bello was arrested the following morning in the Eleekara area of Oyo Town.
Although Babangida initially escaped during that operation, he was later apprehended within 24 hours.
The police recovered the stolen motorcycle and one of the victim’s mobile phones from the suspects.
He said, “My initial intention was to steal a cow and take it to Akinyele Community for sale. The intending buyer was in Akinyele and I went to him to strike the deal. He gave me N10,000 as transport fare. I had made up my mind to steal rams if I could not get a cow. However, I was in the bush for three days but couldn’t get a cow. I was so hungry that I was just eating cashew and mango fruits in the bush. I had no money with me as I had finished spending the N10,000 I was given by the intending buyer. So, I left the bush for the road to snatch the motorcycle.”