Police arrest suspected drug dealer in Ibadan

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected drug dealer, identified as Rilwan, in the Apata area of Ibadan as part of its intensified intelligence-led operations against illicit drugs and other activities linked to crime in the state.

The suspect, a resident of Apata, was arrested at about 8 a.m. on Saturday following intelligence on his alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday.

Ayanlade said the arrest followed a targeted surveillance operation by operatives attached to the Iyaganku Area Command. He said quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine and other suspected illicit drugs were recovered from the suspect.

According to the police, Rilwan remained in custody and was cooperating with investigators as preliminary investigations continued. The command said the investigation would determine the source of the suspected drugs, establish the extent of the suspect’s alleged involvement and identify other individuals who may be connected to the activities.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain operations against drug trafficking and other forms of criminality across the state.

Olugbenga described illicit drugs as “a significant catalyst for various forms of crime and criminality,” adding that the command would continue to identify and disrupt their supply chains through intelligence-led policing and proactive operations.

The commissioner also assured residents that the police would sustain efforts to prevent crime, dismantle criminal networks and bring suspects to justice. He added that Rilwan would be charged to court after the conclusion of preliminary investigations, subject to the outcome of the inquiry.

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in detecting and disrupting criminal activities, stressing that public cooperation remained essential to strengthening intelligence-led policing and maintaining a safer environment across Oyo State.