The police in Ekiti State have arrested and paraded nine suspects for armed robbery, murder and conspiracy in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.
Speaking while parading the suspects at the Command’s headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Akinwale Adeniran, said ” Undoubtedly, the last two months have been quite challenging as criminal elements devised a new 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.
” Immediately after the first incident that occurred on June 20th, 2024, I gave a marching order to the Command Intelligence and Tactical Units to fish out those hoodlums responsible for the barbaric acts.
“You would recall that 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 on July 2nd, 2024. They were all arraigned and remanded in the Correctional Center, Ado-Ekiti.
“Through the dogged efforts of our Intelligence and Tactical Units, more suspects on our watchlist have been arrested which is the reason why we are here today, while the few left are currently on the run. Well, there shall be no hiding place for them.”
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring the safety of lives and property of all innocent citizens in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Sunday Abutu, said six of the suspects were involved in the attack and robbery of not less than nine P.OS operators between June and August in Ado-Ekiti.
“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.
“Investigation 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.
“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.”
Abutu said that the three other suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of one woman, Adeyemi Aina, in the metropolis.
“You would recall 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.
“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. During interrogation, he 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.”
He added that, “while all the suspects arrested will be charged to court accordingly, effort will definitely be intensified to ensure the arrest of the few others who are currently on the run.”
