The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspects for vandalising a power transformer and tampering with a grave.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 said the suspects were arrested at different locations within Ibadan.
“The Oyo State Police Command has commenced investigation into a case of alleged grave tampering reported in the Itesiwaju Ariyo area of Ibadan. On 24th December, 2025, at about 0300hrs, a representative of the community, on behalf of residents of the area, reported at the Police Station that earlier on the same date at about 0103hrs, an unknown person was sighted within a residential compound in the area,” the statement read.
“Upon alarm being raised, occupants of the house came out and discovered a dried human head beside a bathroom, while further checks revealed that the grave of a deceased landlady within the compound had been tampered with. Following the report, police operatives promptly visited the scene of crime, where a suspect who had earlier fled the scene was arrested.
“The suspect, one Hammed Oy Eleke (M), aged 30 years, was sighted at the scene before the alarm was raised, after which he reportedly jumped over the fence and fled.
“However, through intelligence-led policing, operatives of the Command subsequently apprehended the suspect. The exhibit was secured, and the suspect is currently cooperating with the Police by providing useful information that is aiding ongoing investigation to unravel the intention and purpose of the act.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Femi Haruna, psc(+), appreciated the cooperation of members of the public for their timely assistance to the Police and also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his sustained support and strategic leadership.
“He further directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, for discreet and comprehensive investigation. While congratulating residents of the State on the New Year celebration, CP Femi Haruna, psc(+), advised members of the public, particularly those going out for prayers and other religious activities during this period, to ensure such activities are conducted in well-lit and easily accessible areas, to enable prompt response should any emergency arise.
“He further reminded the public that the ban on the use of fireworks remains in force, noting that miscreants and men of the underworld could exploit such activities as cover for nefarious acts.
“Members of the public were also advised to periodically share their locations with trusted family members and friends and to promptly report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest Police Station or security post. The Oyo State Police Command reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property.”
The PPRO disclosed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged vandalization of a power transformer and theft of electrical components at Akala Estate, Akobo area of Ibadan, following swift action by operatives of the Command.
“On 30th December, 2025, at about 0630hrs, a report was received at the Akobo Divisional Police Headquarters from a security guard attached to Akala Estate. While on routine patrol within the estate, he sighted a suspicious male carrying a bag,” the statement read.
“Upon search, the bag was found to contain suspected stolen transformer wires, alongside tools allegedly used in cutting the wires. This timely report provided the first crucial lead in the investigation. Acting on this information, the suspect, identified as Joshua Israel (M), was apprehended. Upon interrogation, he confessed to the crime and implicated one Abang Takon (M) as his accomplice, providing a key link to a broader investigation into the criminal act.
“A swift response team led by the Divisional Police Officer, Akobo Division, subsequently arrested Abang Takon. The suspect claimed to be personnel of the Nigerian Army, 2 Division, Odogbo Barracks, but further investigation revealed that he had been dismissed and previously prosecuted, disproving his assertion.
“This discovery underscored the importance of thorough intelligence-led policing in preventing misrepresentation and further criminality. Investigation into the case is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of inquiries.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Femi Haruna, psc(+), commended the vigilance and timely intervention of the security guard and operatives of Akobo Division, whose prompt actions led to the successful apprehension of the suspects.
“He also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his continuous support and strategic leadership.
“While reassuring the public of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding critical national infrastructure, CP Femi Haruna further reminded residents to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or security post. He urged continued vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies to protect lives, property, and public assets.
“The Oyo State Police Command reiterates its zero tolerance for vandalism and criminal acts against public infrastructure and calls on members of the public to remain alert and proactive in supporting the Police to maintain security and law and order.”
One hundred and thirty persons have been arrested after men of the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI raided a suspected fraud compound in Ghana and arrested more than 130 people.
The FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed this in a post shared on his official X account on Thursday.
Patel said the operation, codenamed “Operation Blackout”, was carried out in the week as part of the FBI’s efforts to dismantle global scam centres.
“OPERATION BLACKOUT: This is the FBI’s global scam-centre fraud demolition. Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel wrote.
He said the operation had so far resulted in nearly $10m in identified losses, 89 victims identified, more than 130 individuals arrested or detained, including victims who would be repatriated to their home countries, and more than 300 devices seized.
“Investigation is ongoing. These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” he said.
Patel also gave an update on the overall Operation Blackout figures, saying roughly $17bn had been seized, hundreds of alleged scammers arrested and thousands of trafficked workers freed.
He added that more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670m in losses had been prevented.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Adewale Arojah, identified as a prophet’s son, for allegedly impersonating a renowned cleric on Facebook and defrauding multiple victims of over N18m under the guise of offering prayers and spiritual assistance.
According to a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, on Thursday, the arrest followed a complaint lodged on October 3, 2026, by Muyiwa Akogun, popularly known on Facebook as “Prophet Dr. Muyiwa Akogun”.
The command said Akogun alerted the police after members of the public complained about “fraudulent activities being perpetrated in his name through a duplicated Facebook profile.”
“Upon receipt of the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilaro Division, immediately detailed intelligence and detective operatives to track down the perpetrator,” the statement said.
It added that “through sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led analysis, the suspect was tracked to a nearby village in Ajegunle, via the Ilaro/Ibogun axis, where he was successfully apprehended.”
The police said the suspect confessed during interrogation to impersonating the cleric on Facebook.
“During a rigorous interrogation, the suspect confessed to impersonating the real Prophet Akogun on Facebook.
“He admitted to using the cleric’s identity to deliver fake prophecies and offer prayer services to vulnerable individuals, thereby defrauding victims residing both within Nigeria and in the diaspora,” Babaseyi said.
The command said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect allegedly targeted people seeking spiritual assistance through the prophet’s Facebook page.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect systematically targeted victims seeking spiritual assistance on the said prophet’s Facebook page, gains their trust and swindled them of funds amounting to over ₦18 million,” it said.
The suspect has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The command said the investigation would be used to ascertain the extent of the crime, identify potential accomplices, and ensure possible prosecution.
The command said the arrest was part of its efforts to tackle online fraud and identity theft in the state.
“The swift arrest highlights the Ogun State Police Command’s resolve to dismantle online fraud networks, curb identity theft, and deny cybercriminals safe space to operate across the state,” Babaseyi said.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for what the statement described as their “vigilance, tactical discipline, and swift response”.
The CP also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents from digital and physical threats.
The command advised members of the public to exercise caution when dealing with religious leaders and public figures on social media.
“The Command advises members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence when engaging with religious leaders or public figures on social media platforms,” the statement said.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has summoned heads of security agencies in the state to a meeting following a spike in security breaches, particularly recent killings involving rival cult groups in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, disclosed this during an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, saying the meeting would be held on Wednesday.
Ojo said the meeting would deliberate on and address the killings by suspected cultists in the state.
He added that the meeting would also discuss measures to make forests in the state safer, in view of the recent killing of an ISWAP leader in Owo, Ondo State.
“We are holding a security meeting on Wednesday, by the special grace of God, to reassure our people and put our security agencies on their toes.
“What happened in Ondo is a lesson to those criminals hibernating in the forests.
We will not take it lightly with anyone using the forest as a hideout,” he said.
He further said, “Aside from that, we are also using the meeting to address the incessant killings by rival cult groups in the past weeks.
“We need to meet and discuss how to stop these killings by cult groups or any other violent crimes hiding under that canopy.”
The governor’s aide, who stressed the need to stop the killings to protect Osun’s corporate image, warned perpetrators of violent crimes to desist or face dire consequences.
“We need to stop it, so as not to give our state a bad name, because nobody knows what they are fighting for or why they are killing themselves,” Ojo said.
The PUNCH reports that two separate attacks by members of rival cult groups, which occurred in Osogbo, the state capital, between last Friday and Sunday, left two people dead and about five others injured.
In reaction to the latest cult attack, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, subsequently ordered tactical teams to raid suspected criminal hideouts in Osogbo.
