By Michael Babatunde
Ekiti State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Ogundare Dare, has clamped down on suspects in connection with different reprehensive crimes in the State.
The Commissioner of Police, while parading the suspects at the State Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital said, 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 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.
However, following the confessions, one Shola Ayeni a.k.a SENGERE was arrested in Iloro-Ekiti as well as one Aremu Olusegun Adebayo a.k.a SENIOR BOY 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 other valuables namely: Idris Ayodeji, Ayeni Tope a.k.a TERIBA, TIRIMISIYU Giwa and Wasiu Alabi a.k.a RADO were 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.
Also, on 07/06/2023 at about 14:40hrs, based on a tip-off as explained by the Police boss, one Faponmile Matthew was arrested in Ado-Ekiti 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 impersonation, charged to court and remanded in Correctional Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
Ogundare further explained that, on 24/05/2023 at about 17:00hrs, upon information received, the Command operatives arrested one Abdulkadir Buba and Bande Abdullahi inside Ogotun-Ekiti 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-Ekiti forest.
The suspects 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. Said the CP.
In another development, on 27/05/2023 at about 18:00hrs, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested one Nohamu Umar in Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti 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-Ekiti 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. Said the Commissioner.
The Police Commissioner said all the suspects arrested will be arraigned accordingly.