Fresh twist as Police uncover alleged internal link to Oyo school abduction

New findings have been brought up about the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and murders of two teachers and an okada rider who had gone into the forest in the area of Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government of Oyo State.

As stated by reports, new revelations about connections via phone calls between the suspects who could be informers and the kidnappers have been revealed by the investigators.

In this regard, the Oyo State Police Command said that several calls made to the kidnappers before and even during the attacks had been detected by the detectives.

It is believed that the calls had information about how the perpetrators can easily move within the national park where they hid themselves safely.

This breakthrough culminated in the arrest of no fewer than six suspects who are presently in custody helping security operatives investigate the grisly occurrence.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday morning, the Public Relations Officer for the State Police, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the suspects had been arrested during security operations conducted in various parts of the state.

“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” Ayanlade said.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly served as informants to the bandits responsible for the abduction and killings.

“Our findings showed that some of the suspects were in contact with the abductors through telephone conversations and investigators are analysing those communications as part of efforts to uncover the full network behind the crime,” he stated.

Ayanlade further disclosed that security agencies uncovered discussions allegedly centred on routes through the National Park and locations believed to have been used by the criminals as hideouts.

“The conversations contained information on how the abductors could move through the National Park undetected and reach safe locations,” he added.

The police spokesman explained that the suspects were arrested during joint operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Agro-Rangers.

“The arrests were made possible through intelligence-driven operations carried out by joint security operatives working collaboratively to dismantle the criminal network,” Ayanlade said.

He assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate linked to the attack.

“We are committed to ensuring that every individual connected to this criminal act is identified, arrested and brought to justice. Investigations are still ongoing,” he said.

The incident, which claimed the lives of two teachers and an okada rider while school pupils were abducted last Friday, has continued to generate concern among residents of the affected communities and neighbouring areas in Oyo State.