By Olakunle Oke
The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered and disrupted a suspected drug stockpiling operation in Ibadan, leading to the seizure of large quantities of suspected illicit drugs from a criminal hideout in the city.
The operation followed credible intelligence received from a strategic partner of the Command, which indicated that an apartment along Abanise Street, Academy area, Olomi, Ibadan, was being used to store illicit drugs. The suspect, identified as one Oluwadamilare Adedayo, was said to be using the premises to stockpile the substances.
Acting on the information, police operatives were immediately deployed to the location to verify the report. A thorough search of the apartment and its surrounding areas was subsequently carried out by detectives.
During the operation, the police recovered nine bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 101 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Canadian Loud, as well as other hard and illicit drugs. The recovered items were secured as exhibits, effectively disrupting a suspected drug distribution network within the area.
The suspect, however, was not found at the scene during the operation. The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, psc (+), has consequently ordered intensive surveillance and a coordinated manhunt to apprehend the suspect believed to have concealed the drugs before police intervention.
CP Haruna commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his leadership and operational support, which he said has continued to strengthen intelligence-led policing across the country.
He also praised the collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, and community stakeholders, noting that timely intelligence and cooperation were key to the success of the operation.
The Oyo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating drug-related crimes and urged residents to continue supporting the police with credible information. Members of the public were advised to report suspicious activities through the state’s emergency lines, including the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line 615, and the Police Control Room.