Police arrest 8 bank robbers, 8 others in Ekiti

The operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command have arrested no fewer than eight suspects alleged to be involved in several bank robberies in the state.

The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Ogundare Dare, who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Friday, said four suspects were also arrested for receiving stolen properties, and four others for sundry crimes.

Dare said the notorious robbery gang was involved in attacks on several banks in Ekiti State, including banks in Ifaki, Oye, and Iyin where lives were lost in 2018 and 2019.

The CP disclosed that the gang members were arrested by the command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), following credible intelligence.

He said: “Those arrested are one Dele Ajayi aka Doni, Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Segun Folorunso Ojo aka Alakure, Raymond Hamilton Francis, Godwin Emeka aka Mayo, and Odiri Isaac aka Zion.

“All were arrested 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 January 29, 2020.

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“The same victim had identified the suspects, and they equally confessed to the alleged crimes.”

Dare added that two other members of the gang Shola Ayeni, popularly known as Sengere, and Aremu Adebayo, well known as Senior Boy, were arrested at Iloro-Ekiti and Ijero-Ekiti, respectively.

The police commissioner stated: “Upon the confession made by the arrested suspects, four receivers of stolen vehicles and other valuables namely – Idris Ayodeji, Ayeni Tope aka Teriba, Tirimisiyu Giwa, and Wasiu Alabi aka Rada – were arrested.

“Items recovered from the suspects are one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size double barrel gun, two fabricated guns, six live cartridges, and ten suspected stolen vehicles.”

Dare said the command had intensified efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the robbery gang, adding that all the arrested suspects have confessed to the commission of the crimes.

He also said that one Faponmile Matthew was also arrested in Ado-Ekiti for impersonation.

Dare revealed that the suspect had been parading himself in military uniform, claiming to be a military personnel.

He said: “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 three years ago.”

The CP said police operatives also arrested two suspected cattle rustlers, Abdulkadir Buba, and Bande Abdullahi, in Ogotun-Ekiti forest in possession of eight cows 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 January 3, 2023,” he added.

Dare further stated that one Nohamu Umar was arrested in Atikankan area of Ado-Ekiti for involvement in a series of kidnappings in the state.

He said among those the suspects allegedly kidnapped were Ojo Mathew and Chinyere Edeh on May 2, at about 4 p.m. 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,” the police commissioner stated.

He added that all the suspects would be arraigned in court after the completion of the investigation.

The Star