- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Akinwale Adeniran has Paraded another set of suspected criminals over the killings of POS operators in the Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
The CP who was ably represented by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Sunday Abutu in a press briefing with TopNews on Friday said, the suspects were arrested as a result of the useful hints by some residents of the state and efforts of his men.
According to him: “I shall be telling you some of the incredible breakthroughs and successes recorded within the period under review during the course of our operations which is geared towards ensuring the safety of lives and property of all innocent citizens in the State.
“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.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, immediately after the first incident that occurred on June 20th, 2024, gave a matching 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 2nd July, 2024. They were all arraigned and remanded in the Correctional Center, Ado-Ekiti.
I am glad to inform you that, 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.
Permit me to mention some of these breakthroughs:
ARREST OF 3 FOR CONSPIRACY, ARMED ROBBERY AND MURDER: 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.
ARREST OF 6 FOR CONSPIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY: 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.
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.
The Command therefore charged everyone to be law abiding citizens and go about their lawful businesses without any form of apprehension, while residents are also implored to give credible and timely information to the Police that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements within and outside their environs by calling 08062335577 or visiting the nearest Police Station.
