By Charles Ayodele
As criminal elements devised another method of perpetrating their criminal acts by using motorcycles to rob and attack their innocent targets, especially Point Of Sale (P.O.S) Operators, with guns and sometimes causing fatalities in Ekiti State, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Akinwale Kunle Adeniran, immediately after the first incident that occurred on June 20th, 2024, gave a matching order to the Command Intelligence and Tactical Units to fish out those hoodlums responsible for the barbaric acts.
Some of those hoodlums were arrested, investigated and paraded on June 26th, 2024. Effort intensified led to the arrest of three others who were equally investigated and paraded 2nd July, 2024. They were all arraigned and remanded in the Correctional Center, Ado-Ekiti. With the dogged efforts of the Command intelligence and Tactical Units, more suspects on the watchlist have been arrested, while the few left are currently on the run.
Parading the suspects on behalf of the Commissioner, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abutu Sunday noted that, on 06/07/2024 at about 06:30hrs, a 56 year old woman, one Adeyemi Aina, while standing at Fabian Junction, NTA Road, Ado-Ekiti, was attacked by an assailant who rode on a motorcycle. The hoodlum shot her dead, dispossessed her of about one hundred and fifty five thousand naira and fled the scene as the PPRO explained.
Addressing the Press, the PPRO further explained that, on 26/07/2024, one Omowaye Ayodele was arrested in Akure, Ondo State, in connection with a case of kidnapping and murder. During interrogation, the suspect confessed that the victim, late Adeyemi Aina, was shot and robbed in his presence by one Busari Lookman. Effort intensified by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led to the arrest of Busari Lookman who in the course of interrogation, confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned one Onyema John Sunday and Ojo Temidayo a.k.a YELLOW as his accomplices who were subsequently arrested and equally confessed to the commission of the crime. During the search of the house and premises of Busari Lookman, one black colour cardigan worn by the suspect during the operation was recovered.
Also, upon a credible tip-off, the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) swooped on hoodlums in their different hideouts and arrested one Ajisafe Doyin a.k.a D-MONEY, Olabanji Joshua a.k.a BJ, Fasusi Femi a.k.a F.M, Adewale Femi a.k.a F.M, Adeolodi Olayosi a.k.a PEDRO and Babalola Ezekiel.
Stressing further, Abutu said nvestigation revealed that the suspects have attacked and robbed not less than nine P.O.S Operators between 19/06/2024 and 05/08/2024 in Ado-Ekiti. The suspects, during interrogation, confessed to have robbed P.O.S Operators at Ori-Apata, Adebayo, Basiri, Better Life, Olaoluwa, Oke-Ila, Housing and Moferere, all in Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
The PPRO explained that investigation revealed that they were in their various criminal hideouts planning to launch more attacks on P.O.S Operators and other innocent traders when they were arrested. One locally made single barrel gun loaded with one live cartridge was recovered from them and promised that all the suspects arrested will be charged to court accordingly. Adding that effort will definitely be intensified to ensure the arrest of the few others who are currently on the run.
However, the Command charges everyone to be law abiding citizens and go about their lawful businesses without any form of apprehension as residents are also implored to give credible and timely information to the Police that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements within and outside their environs by calling 08062335577 or visiting the nearest Police Station.