The Oyo State Police Command has arrested four suspects linked to a cattle rustling incident in Ado-Awaye, located in Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.
The development was confirmed on Monday in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.
According to him, the suspects include 30-year-old Sekooni Wale, who allegedly drove the Mazda bus used in the operation, and 25-year-old Jimoh Toheeb, said to be his assistant. Further investigation led officers to Maya Town in the Lanlate area, where the main suspect, 38-year-old Moshood Abdullahi, was arrested. Another accomplice, Macho Sindi, 29, was later apprehended.
Ayanlade described Abdullahi as a known cattle rustler who reportedly came from Badagry, adding that his arrest helped authorities track down the other suspects.
He explained that the breakthrough followed a swift response to a distress call from the Ado-Awaye Division in the early hours of Thursday, March 13, 2026.
The report, made by a resident identified as Muhammad Ibrahim, stated that armed men had attacked a cattle camp in the Iserin area and made away with several cows belonging to a herder named Yahaya.
In response, the Divisional Police Officer quickly deployed a joint team of officers and local security groups, including vigilantes, to the scene.
The team intercepted the suspects while they were attempting to escape. Police said the suspects had already loaded two cows into a white Mazda bus (registration number KMA 178 ZY) and were about to load three more when security operatives arrived.
“On sighting the approaching team, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush,” Ayanlade said.
Two cattle herders, Ibrahim Musa and Ibrahim Umaru, were also found at the scene, tied up by the suspects before they fled.
A manhunt and bush search operation later led to the arrest of Wale and Toheeb, who reportedly confessed to their involvement during interrogation.
The Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, praised the quick response and bravery of the officers and local security partners, noting that their efforts prevented the crime from succeeding and led to the recovery of the stolen cattle.
He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the police and local communities in maintaining security across the state.
The command urged residents to stay alert and continue sharing useful information with security agencies to help combat crime.
