- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
As part of its unrelenting efforts to fight against crime and criminalities in Ekiti State, the State Police Command has paraded twenty eight Suspected criminas on over cultism, burglary, armed robbery, conspiracy, stealing and possession of charms and illicit drugs.
Addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ogundare Dare said the command will at all times, rise up to its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and properties, preservation of peace as well as maintenance of law and order.
The CP said that the Suspects were arrested in various areas of the State which include Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko-Ekiti, Emure-Ekiti and Ilawe-Ekiti.
The statement reads, “On 18/09/2023 at about 21:30hrs, two armed men attacked and robbed one Omotosho Sunday in his house at Omisanjana street, Ado-Ekiti, and forcefully collected his TVS Lady’s motorcycle valued seven hundred thousand naira.
“Investigation by the operatives of the RRS led to the arrest of one ABDULKAREEM ISAH on 24/09/2023.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned one other suspect who is currently at large as his accomplice.
“The snatched TVS Lady’s motorcycle and one Itel phone were recovered from him. Effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.
“On 22/09/2023 at about 09:00hrs, one AJAYI OPEYEMI , a serial burglar, was arrested by the Command operatives in his criminal hideout in Aramoko-Ekiti. He has burgled more than five different houses and shops belonging to different owners at Aramoko-Ekiti.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and mentioned one ASAKE BOLATITO as his accomplice. Concerted efforts by the operatives led to the arrest of ASAKE BOLATITO.
“Search was conducted in the house and premises of the suspects and items such as 400 pieces of Jean Trousers, Shirts, Short Nickers, Jackets, face caps, underwear, some quantity of women accessories and lingerie goods, assorted wines, provision and food stuffs worth Three Million Naira were recovered as exhibits.
“Upon a credible tip-off on 24/09/2023 at about 23:00hrs that some hoodlums were in their criminal hideout shouting Eiye secret cult slogan and smoking Indian hemp profusely, the Command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) swung into action, moved to the scene and arrested one PELUMI OBAYEMI and OLANIPEKUN EMMANUEL while others took to flight.
“One battle axe, criminal charms and some quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were found in their possession.
“Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.
“On 27/09/2023 at about 04:30hrs, the Command received a credible tip-off that some hoodlums suspected to be members of “Buccaneer Confraternity, a secret cult” were sighted within the premises of Prosperous Hotel in Ado-Ekiti.
“Upon the receipt of the information, the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad(RRS) were deployed to the hotel and ten suspects were arrested. Namely: Alaba Teniola, Ajayi Taiwo, Isaac Olasunkanmi, Adelowo Julius, Ajibola Ridwan, Temirope Emmanuel, Lawal Shefiu, David Temitope, Ayobami Idris, Ebenezer Olagunju, Balogun Moyosore and Omolara Adebayo “f”.
“Items recovered from them are: two yellow berets with buccaneer symbol, three yellow hart caps with buccaneer symbol, two yellow Polo shirts with buccaneer symbol, one yellow tie with buccaneer symbol, one yellow head gear with buccaneer symbol, one key holder with buccaneer symbol, one yellow handkerchief with buccaneer symbol, one knife and a substance suspected to be charm with five cowries.
“On 27/09/2023 at about 22:30hrs, the Command received a credible information that some suspected cultists were on procession around Odo-Ado.
“Operatives were immediately deployed to the scene where one OLADEJO OLAJIDE, ADEUSI DAMOLOLA and OBINNA CHIBUIKE were arrested while others took to their heels.
“On 27/09/2023 at about 12:30hrs, the Command operatives, while acting upon a tip-off, swooped on a criminal hideout in Emure-Ekiti and arrested one Tunde Adeola, Stephen Sunday, Moshood Yusuf, Ibitayo Ayodeji, Opeyemi Ifeoluwa and Ojo Samuel.
“During the operation, the suspects were found smoking weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and chanting series of secret cult slogans.
“Investigation revealed that the suspects attacked one Kolawole Precious at Emure-Ekiti on 23/09/2023 at about 09:00hrs and stabbed her with a knife on her forehead. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital and currently undergoing treatment.
“On 28/09/2023 at about 07:30hrs, the Command received an information that some hoodlums were sighted in their criminal hideout along Ilawe road, Ado-Ekiti.
“Upon receipt of the information, the operatives of the RRS were deployed to the area where OLUGBENGA SAMUEL and OLADEJO TAYO were arrested while others took to their heels.
“During search, large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and a white substance suspected to be cocaine were recovered from them. The suspects confessed to be drug dealers.
“Effort is underway to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
CP Ogundare added all the suspect will be prosecuted accordıngly in order to serve as deterrent to others.
The CP also extended his profound gratitude to the State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his financial support and others to the command in ensuring that criminalities are eschewed in the State.
While enjoining members of the public to be security conscious and report any suspicious moves in their vicinities, he appreciated them for their cooperation, adding that the Command will be decisive on hoodlums who may wish to cause apprehension with their nefarious activities in the Ekiti.
