Sophia Michaels
Seven suspects involved in various crimes such as attempted murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, stealing and burglary, were arrested on Thursday, by the Ekiti State Police Command.
Addressing Journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the state Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale appreciated Ekiti residents for their timely and useful information that led to the arrests of the suspects, adding that the Command will continue to work round the clock to ensure the maximum security of all citizens and the maintenance of law and order in the society.
While revealing the proactive steps taken towards arresting the suspects, Akinwale, represented by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Sunday Abutu said, “One Ayeni Oluwasegun Emmanuel and Suleiman Olaoluwa were arrested within Ekiti State University Campus while attempting to remove one Toyota Matrix Car from where parked. Upon the arrest of the suspects, they made a confessional statement that they had earlier, on 16/02/2024, forcefully opened the door of a Toyota Corolla car parked within the premises of the institution and stole One HP Laptop Computer and different assorted Clothes kept inside the vehicle.
“Meanwhile, Sulaiman Olaoluwa was identified by a victim as one of the armed robbers who robbed him of a cash sum of #365,000 and two iPhones before dispossessing him of his Toyota Corolla Car at his residence in GRA, Ado-Ekiti.
“Investigation revealed that the suspects were responsible for the stealing of a Toyota Corolla Car in Ado-Ekiti on 27/05/2021, a Toyota Camry Car in Ado-Ekiti on 02/10/2022, a Toyota Camry in Ado-Ekiti on 07/12/2022 and a Toyota Matrix Car in Ado-Ekiti on 15/12/2024, all belonging to different owners.
“Investigation revealed also that the suspects stole a cash sum of N550,000 from a vehicle parked at the owner’s premises at GRA, Ado-Ekiti, on 02/02/2024.”
Speaking on the cases of conspiracy, burglary and stealing, he said: “On 22/02/2024 at about 01:30hrs, one Awe Deji, a serial burglar, was arrested within the premises of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, by the Security Guards on duty for attempting to Steal one motorcycle therein while other gang members escaped.
“The Suspect was thereafter handed over to the Police and effort intensified by the Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led to the arrest of one of the fleeing gang Members – Ganiyu Rasaq a.k.a Ategun.
“Investigation revealed that the gang was responsible for the stealing of numerous vehicles and motorcycles from the hospital prior to their arrest”.
On another case of conspiracy, armed robbery and attempted murder, he stated “On 25/02/2024 at about 11:00hrs, based on a credible tip-off that a group of suspected armed robbers was sighted in a house in Iyin-Ekiti, the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Swiftly mobilized to the scene and Condoned off the building. During the operation, one Emmanuel Kehinde Isaac and Daniel Olamide Friday were arrested while others escaped.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they specialize in hijacking motorcycles in Ado/Ikere Ekiti express road from motorcycle riders by using offensive weapons such as cutlasses and iron rods. They further confessed that they had hijacked about eleven motorcycles in Ikere and Ado-Ekiti within six months in 2023. The suspect also confessed that on 20/11/2023 at about 20:30hrs, they attacked one Ojo Boyede in Ikere-Ekiti, robbed him of his Bajaj motorcycle and attempted to murder him by inflicting high degree of body injuries on him with an iron rod.
“Three of the stolen Bajaj Motorcycles were recovered from them while effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members and recovery of the stolen motorcycles.”
While assuring the public that all suspects will be arraigned accordingly, he urged Ekiti residents to be vigilant and continue to report untoward and suspicious activities within their vicinities.
