In a major breakthrough, the Ekiti State Police Command has apprehended a total of 16 individuals suspected of involvement in a wide range of criminal activities. Among them, eight persons have been captured in connection with a string of bank robberies. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dare Ogundare, addressed the media in Ado Ekiti, shedding light on the crimes committed by these individuals, which include armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, firearm possession, cattle rustling, and impersonation.
Parading the suspects before journalists, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunday Abutu, revealed that eight of the apprehended individuals were traced and arrested in Lagos. They are believed to have played a complicit role in a series of bank robberies within the state. The Police spokesman provided further details, stating, “On 09/06/2023, acting on credible intelligence, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) apprehended Dele Ajayi, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Segun Folorunso Ojo, Raymond Hamilton Francis, Godwin Emeka, and Odiri Isaac in Ikorodu, Lagos State. These individuals were linked to numerous highway robberies involving Union Bank, Igede-Ekiti (2018), First Bank, Ifaki-Ekiti (2018), UBA, Oye-Ekiti (2019), and WEMA Bank (2020). The same gang was also responsible for the robbery of Access Bank, Ijero (2018), highway robbery in Odogbolu, Ogun state, and the kidnapping of one Olowo Bolaji in Ipoti-Ekiti on 29/01/2020. The victim has identified the suspects, who have confessed to their involvement in the alleged crimes.”
Additionally, the police arrested Shola Ayeni in Iloro-Ekiti and Aremu Olusegun Adebayo in Ijero-Ekiti, both suspected members of the notorious gang. Acting upon information provided by the detained suspects, law enforcement officials also apprehended four receivers of stolen vehicles and other valuables, namely: Idris Ayodeji, Ayeni Tope, Tirimisiyu Giwa, and Wasiu Alabi.
The diligent efforts of the Ekiti State Police Command have dealt a significant blow to criminal networks operating within the region. The authorities are resolute in their pursuit of justice, ensuring that those responsible for these heinous acts face the full weight of the law.
