The Ondo State Police Command has paraded 10 suspected criminals, including members of an alleged interstate armed robbery syndicate and suspects linked to a violent land dispute, and recovered firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons. Speaking during a press briefing in Akure on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, said the arrests were part of the Command’s sustained efforts to rid the state of violent criminals and ensure public safety. According to him, three suspected members of a notorious interstate armed robbery syndicate were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by police operatives. The suspects, identified as Promise Daniel, 34; Ifeanyi Umahi, 29; and Adaramoye Abayomi, 37, were allegedly involved in a series of armed robbery attacks across Ondo and Lagos states. 1 agency, 2 heads: Tinubu’s directive doesn’t stand, says Wike’s ally Petrol import up by 207% as IPMAN kicks against importation Ohagwu said, “The Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained offensive against violent crime with the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious interstate armed robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for a series of armed robbery operations across Ondo and Lagos States.” He explained that the suspects were intercepted while travelling in a Mercedes-Benz ML 350 SUV during an operation linked to an armed robbery case reported at Iju Division, Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area. Items recovered from the suspects included an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition, an English-made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, a UTC axe and an iron cutter. The police commissioner disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belonged to a syndicate already on the Command’s watchlist for alleged involvement in violent robberies. “During interrogation, the suspects made useful confessional statements regarding the ownership of the recovered weapons and other criminal activities. The information provided is currently assisting investigators in tracking down other fleeing members of the gang and uncovering the full extent of their operations,” he said. In a separate operation, the police also arrested seven suspects and recovered firearms and dangerous weapons following a violent land dispute in Kajola, Ore axis of the state. Ohagwu said the dispute involved two parties in a land matter currently before a High Court in Ore and nearly escalated into a deadly clash. He said, “The Ondo State Police Command has foiled what could have escalated into a deadly confrontation following a violent land dispute in Kajola, leading to the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of firearms and other dangerous weapons.” Recovered items included two locally made guns, two cutlasses, a bag containing suspected charms, a container labelled acid and other dangerous weapons. The CP noted that investigations had been transferred to the Command Surveillance Squad in Akure, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the scene. He warned residents against taking the law into their own hands, especially in matters already before the court.
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