By Duchess Ifeoluwa
Fresh revelations have emerged over the abduction of school pupils and the killing of two teachers alongside a commercial motorcyclist in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as security operatives uncovered an alleged network of informants linked to the attackers.
The Oyo State Police Command disclosed that investigations into the attack revealed that some suspects allegedly maintained real-time communication with the abductors during and after the operation, supplying strategic information that aided the movement of the criminals.
According to the police, investigators traced the suspects through telephone conversations allegedly exchanged with the bandits, with some of the discussions said to contain details on routes within the National Park and locations believed to have served as hideouts for the gang.
The development, police authorities said, led to the arrest of six suspects currently in custody and assisting security agencies in ongoing investigations into the incident that has thrown the affected communities into mourning.
Confirming the arrests on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the suspects were apprehended during coordinated operations carried out across different locations in the state.
“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” Ayanlade stated.
He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the suspects allegedly acted as informants to the kidnappers responsible for the abduction of the pupils and the killing of the victims.
“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 said.
Ayanlade further disclosed that some of the intercepted conversations allegedly centred on how the abductors could move through the National Park without detection and access safe locations after carrying out the attack.
“The conversations contained information on how the abductors could move through the National Park undetected and reach safe locations,” he added.
The police spokesman noted that the arrests followed intelligence-driven joint security operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 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,” he said.
Ayanlade assured residents that efforts were ongoing 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 added.
The attack, which occurred last Friday in Ahoro-Esiele community, claimed the lives of two teachers and an okada rider, while several school pupils were abducted by the gunmen.
The incident has since generated widespread concern among residents of the affected communities and neighbouring areas, with calls mounting for stronger security presence and protection for schools and rural settlements across Oyo State.
