Thursday, July 16, 2026

Amotekun foils robbery, arrests suspect with wooden gun in Osun

Mr Idowu noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

• January 23, 2026
Armed Amotekun operatives
Armed Amotekun operatives

The Osun Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, has arrested a highway robber operating with a wooden gun along the Ilesa-Ibadan Expressway.

This is contained in a statement by the corps’ spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu.

Mr Idowu said the suspect was arrested on Wednesday at about 12:20 a.m. while he and other gang members, who are currently at large, laid an ambush for vehicles plying the expressway.

According to him, a motorist identified as Maxwell Phillips, who was attacked by suspected armed robbers, alerted Amotekun operatives to the criminal activity along the road.

“The patrol team of the corps attached to the Ilesa Area Command swiftly responded and swung into action, disrupting the robbery operation.

“Upon sighting the Amotekun patrol vehicle, the suspects fled into the surrounding bush, but one of them was apprehended,” he said.

Mr Idowu stated that items recovered from the suspect included a cutlass, a torchlight, and a locally designed wooden gun fashioned to resemble an AK-47 rifle.

He added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and disclosed that his accomplices escaped upon noticing the presence of Amotekun operatives.

Mr Idowu noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Amotekun commander, Adekunle Omoyele, commended the operatives for their professionalism, vigilance, and swift response in foiling the robbery attempt.

Mr Omoyele reiterated the corps’ commitment to ensuring the safety of residents’ lives and property.

He urged the public to continue supporting the corps by promptly providing credible information on suspicious activities or security breaches within their communities

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Idris Bugaje

Education

Lack of practice, mentorship hampering engineering sector’s progress: NBTE

NBTE boss noted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway were designed offshore.

Africa

Religion central to West Africa’s stability, military readiness: USAFRICOM

The command chaplain of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Kevin Forrester, has described spiritual readiness as a foundational pillar of military success.

Economy

Jack-Rich, Trump seek closer U.S.-Nigeria ties

Mr Trump endorsed Mr Jack-Rich’s call for closer engagement, saying Africa possesses extraordinary economic potential that should not be overlooked by the U.S.

Economy

Abia, Enugu collaborate to train 150,000 tech talent

Abia and Enugu have called for stronger regional collaboration to train 150,000 tech talents and incubate 3,000 startups across Nigeria.

States

Museum unveils memorial sculpture to immortalise Onyeama N’Eke

The National Museum of Unity, Enugu, on Wednesday unveiled a memorial sculpture and a permanent exhibition gallery in honour of Onyeama N’Eke.

Wife of Kwara State governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq

Health

Kwara assembly backs malaria elimination

The Kwara House of Assembly has reaffirmed support for efforts to eradicate malaria and expand healthcare infrastructure across the state.