The Èkìtì has apprehended and paraded suspects believed to be responsible for armed robberies at Igede, Ifaki, Oye Ijero, all local government headquarters in 2018 and 2020 within the state.
The suspects were arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos State by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Èkìtì.
At a press briefing held in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the Public Relations Officer of the Èkìtì State Command, DSP Abutu Sunday, provided the aforementioned information and stated that all the suspects have admitted to their involvement in the crimes.
He also mentioned that several accomplices of the perpetrators had also been apprehended.
“On 09/06/2023, upon a credible tip-off, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested one Dele Ajayi a.k.a DONI, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Segun Folorunso Ojo a.k.a ALAKURE, Raymond Hamilton Francis, Godwin Emeka a.k.a MAYO and Odiri Isaac a.k.a ZION all in Ikorodu, Lagos State for their involvement in several highway robberies,l involving Union Bank in Igede-Èkìtì in 2018, First Bank in Ifaki-Èkìtì in 2018, UBA in Oye-Èkìtì in 2019 and Wema Bank in 2020″, he said.
Explaining further, Abutu said the same gang was equally involved in robbery of Access Bank in IjeroÈkìtì in 2018, highway robbery in Odogbolu in Ogun state and kidnapping of one Olowo Bolaji at Ipoti-Èkìtì on 29/01/2020.
The same victims, he said, had identified suspects who equally confessed to the alleged crimes.
“However, following the confessions, one Shola Ayeni a.k.a SENGERE was arrested in Iloro-Èkìtì as well as one Aremu Olusegun Adebayo a.k.a SENIOR BOY at Ijero-Èkìtì who were allegedly members of the dreaded gang.
“Upon the confession made by the arrested suspects, four receivers of stolen vehicles and other valuables namely Idris Ayodeji, Ayeni Tope a.k.a TERIBA, Tirimisiyu Giwa and Wasiu Alabi a.k.a RADO were all arrested.
“Items recovered from the suspects are one locally made pistol, one cut to small size double barrel gun, two fabricated guns, six live cartridges and ten suspected stolen vehicles.
All the arrested suspects confessed to the commission of the crime while effort is underway to arrest other fleeing suspects,” his statement read.
In a similar development, DSP Abutu revealed in his address that a counterfeit soldier who was impersonating a military personnel had been arrested and subsequently charged while a cattle rustler involved in kidnapping activities and a kidnapper were apprehended in the Atikankan area of Ado-Èkìtì.
“On 07/06/2023 at about 14:40hrs, based on a tip-off, one Faponmile Matthew was arrested in Ado-Èkìtì by the Command operatives for wearing military uniform and impersonating a military personnel.
“Upon search conducted in the house and premises of the suspect, a complete military camouflage uniform, one camouflage knickers, two Navy vests and a pair of black boot were recovered.
“Investigation further revealed that the suspect had earlier been arrested by the Command for same offence of impersonating, charged to court and remanded in Correctional Centre, Ado-Èkìtì.
“On 24/05/2023 at about 17:00hrs, upon information received, the Command operatives arrested one Abdulkadir Buba and Bande Abdullahi inside Ogotun-Èkìtì forest who were in possession of eight rustled cattle and nine calves.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to have stolen the cattle from another gang of rustlers inside Opoile/Itapaji-Èkìtì forest.
“The suspects further confessed that they were involved in the kidnapping and murder of one Abdullahi Muhammad inside Isan-Èkìtì forest on 03/01/2023.
“They mentioned other members of their gang who are currently at large and effort is ongoing for their possible arrest.
“On 27/05/2023 at about 18:00hrs, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested one Nohamu Umar in Atikankan area of Ado-Èkìtì for involving in series of kidnappings in Ekiti State, including the kidnapping of one Ojo Mathew and Chinyere Edeh on 02/05/2023 at about 16:00hrs in Odo-Oko farm settlement around Ikere-Èkìtì who were later rescued.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a notorious kidnapper alongside others who are currently at large.
“Effort is underway for the possible arrest of other fleeing suspects,” his statement further read.
DSP Sunday Abutu, expressing gratitude to the public for their supporting in the successful apprehension, also reassured that the suspects would undergo
proper legal arraignment process.
“As I conclude, permit me to appreciate members of the public, most especially good spirited individuals for their cooperation by giving timely and useful information that led to some of these achievements.
“All the suspects arrested will be arraigned accordingly.
“The Command enjoins all Èkìtì State citizens to be security conscious, vigilant and report any untoward incident or happening observed in their locality to the nearest Police Station or call 08062335577,” he stated.
