The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man identified as Rilwan “M” over alleged involvement in illicit drug dealing in Ibadan, the state capital.
The suspect was arrested around 8am on Friday, September 11, 2026, in the Apata area of Ibadan following credible intelligence received by the police.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday.
Ayanlade said surveillance operatives of the Iyaganku Area Command commenced targeted monitoring of the suspect after receiving the intelligence.
The operation subsequently led to his arrest in Apata.
“Acting on the intelligence, surveillance operatives of the Iyaganku Area Command commenced targeted surveillance operations which culminated in the arrest of the suspect,” Ayanlade said.
According to the police, suspected illicit drugs were recovered from the suspect during the operation.
The items included a quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, alongside other suspected dangerous drugs.
The command did not disclose the exact quantity of the substances or indicate whether laboratory analysis had confirmed their composition.
Ayanlade said the suspect was in police custody and cooperating with investigators as preliminary investigations continued.
He said the investigation was aimed at establishing the source of the suspected drugs, determining the extent of Rilwan’s alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade and identifying other people who might be connected to the activities.
“The suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the preliminary investigation,” the PPRO said.
Commissioner vows sustained crackdown
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, said illicit drugs were a significant catalyst for various forms of crime and criminality.
Olugbenga reiterated the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations against drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state.
“Illicit drugs constitute a significant catalyst for various forms of crime and criminality. The command is determined to sustain intelligence-led operations against drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state,” he said.
The commissioner said the command would continue to identify and disrupt the supply chains of illicit drugs while strengthening intelligence-led policing and proactive operations.
He also urged residents to continue providing credible and actionable information to the police.
Olugbenga said information from members of the public would help the command strengthen its efforts to combat crime and criminality across Oyo State.
The suspect remains in police custody pending the conclusion of the preliminary investigation and possible prosecution.
