The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended over 78 individuals suspected to be affiliated with the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) in relation to acts of violence.

During the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of various items, including firearms, 724 live cartridges, 25 cutlasses, seven jack knives, 33 mobile phones, one laptop, charms, two vehicles, and over N3 million in cash.

It is worth noting that Governor Seyi Makinde, on Monday, declared the dissolution of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) led by Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, widely known as Auxiliary, a former NURTW boss. This announcement was made by the Governor's Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi.

Speaking to the press in Ibadan, at the Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Commissioner of Police Adebowale Williams announced the arrest of the suspects. He highlighted that the command's proactive approach, based on intelligence-driven surveillance, successfully thwarted the suspects' plan to incite chaos and civil unrest in the state subsequent to the dissolution of their group.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police stated, "During a well-coordinated operation conducted on 30/05/2023, based on strategic intelligence, 78 suspected criminals were apprehended at Diamond Hotel, located in Alakia-Isebo, Egbeda Local Government Area of the state. These individuals had meticulously planned to cause havoc in various parts of the city in the early hours of yesterday."

He further added, "As a result of the raid, sophisticated firearms were seized from the hotel rooms and the trunks of vehicles parked within the premises."

The Commissioner of Police acknowledged that while the leader of the PMS group, commonly known as Auxiliary, managed to flee alongside some of his associates during the exchange of gunfire with the police, one member of the group was effectively incapacitated during the encounter.

Adebowale further revealed that this very same group was suspected to be responsible for the assault on 14 individuals affiliated with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) along the Agodi axis in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of the state. The attack occurred as the victims were en route to the venue of the inaugural celebration held on Monday.

He stated, "In adherence to the prescribed operational protocol, all the confiscated items were meticulously documented, securely packaged, and registered for subsequent forensic examination. This meticulous process ensures compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, as well as other pertinent legislation, for the purpose of maintaining accurate evidence."

He appealed to the residents of the state, urging them to collaborate with the police by providing valuable information that could aid in the arrest of the dismissed PMS leader, Auxiliary.