Two suspected drug peddlers nabbed in Oyo, hideouts demolished

The Joint Security Taskforce on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of two suspected drug peddlers and the demolition of criminal hideouts and shanties at the Orita-Challenge area in the Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the raid followed multiple petitions from residents of surrounding communities.

Further findings revealed that the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation carried out by security operatives and the Local Government Environmental Team, led by the Council Chairman, Akeem Olatunji.

Olatunji, who spoke with journalists in Ibadan, said the operation was launched after several complaints from residents over the activities of suspected criminals in the area.

He explained that illegal and unauthorised structures, which had become hideouts for criminal elements, were demolished during the exercise.

“A joint task force of Oluyole Local Government came to Orita-Challenge in Ibadan where some illegal structures, where individuals and some faceless persons were inhabiting, were discovered. We have received a lot of petitions from members of various communities in the area regarding their nefarious activities—robbery, maiming, rape, and the sale of hard drugs.

“So, as a responsive and responsible government, we had no choice but to move in immediately to restore public confidence and peace. Prior to this operation, they were duly notified to vacate the place. In fact, we gave them a 30-day notice, but they did not comply.

“Although we only arrested two persons caught with substances suspected to be narcotic drugs, others have been ordered to vacate the place immediately. They have also been warned not to engage in activities that could disturb the peace of the area.

“The police are already handling the case of those arrested, and I believe that, in due time, further investigations will be concluded to fast-track prosecution and serve as a deterrent to others.”

Olatunji noted that the operation was conducted in collaboration with multiple security agencies, including Amotekun, the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Burst, the Civil Defence Corps, and the Environmental Task Force, all working to strengthen safety within the local government.

In his remarks, a community leader and Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee in the area, Olayinka Banjo, commended Olatunji’s “unrelenting commitment” to the development of Oluyole Local Government.