Operatives of Ekiti State Police Command have arrested 16 suspects for their involment in various crimes including alleged bank robbery.
Addressing the press in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the state Commissioner of Police, Dare Ogundare said crimes committed by the suspects are armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, possession of fire arms, cattle rustling and impersonation.
Parading the suspects to the journalists, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Sunday Abutu said 8 of the suspects were arrested in Lagos for alleged complicity in the series bank robbery in the state.
The Police spokesman said, “On 09/06/2023, upon a credible tip-off, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested one Dele Ajayi, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Segun Folorunso Ojo, Raymond Hamilton Francis, Godwin Emeka and Odiri Isaac all in Ikorodu, Lagos State for their involvement in several highway robberies involving Union Bank, Igede-Ekiti in 2018, First Bank, Ifaki-Ekiti in 2018, UBA, Oye-Ekiti in 2019 and WEMA Bank in 2020.
“The same gang was equally involved in robbery of Access bank, Ijero in 2018, highway robbery in Odogbolu, Ogun state and kidnapping of one Olowo Bolaji at Ipoti-Ekiti on 29/01/2020. The same victim had identified suspects who equally confessed to the alleged crimes”.
He said one Shola Ayeni was arrested in Iloro-Ekiti as well as one Aremu Olusegun Adebayo at Ijero-Ekiti who were allegedly members of the dreaded gang.
“Upon the confession made by the arrested suspects, four receivers of stolen vehicles and others valuables namely: Idris Ayodeji, Ayeni Tope, Tirimisiyu Giwa and Wasiu Alabi were also arrested”.
One locally made pistol, one cut to small size double barrel gun, two fabricated guns, six live cartridges and ten suspected stolen vehicles were recovered from the suspects.
All the arrested suspects according to him confessed to committing the crime while effort are being made to arrest other fleeing suspects.
Also, Faponmile Mathew was arrested in Ado Ekiti on June 7, 2023 at about 14:40hrs, based on a tip-off, by the Command’s 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-Ekiti”.
The police also arrested one Abdulkadir Buba and Bande Abdullahi inside Ogotun-Ekiti forest who were in possession of eight rustled cattle and nine calves.
The suspects confessed to have stolen the cattle from another gang of rustlers inside Opoile/Itapaji-Ekiti forest upon interrogation.
They further confessed that they were involved in the kidnapping and murder of one Abdullahi Muhammad inside Isan-Ekiti 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.
The Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) also arrested one Nohamu Umar in Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti for involvement 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-Ekiti who were later rescued.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a notorious kidnapper alongside others who are currently at large while effort is underway for the possible arrest of other fleeing suspects.
He said all the suspects arrested will be arraigned accordingly.
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