Kehinde Ishola
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested eight suspects linked to a series of armed robberies and homicide cases across the state, recovering two Lexus vehicles and other stolen valuables.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday at the Command Headquarters in Ilorin, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, said the arrests followed a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation targeting criminal gangs.
One of the major breakthroughs, according to the commissioner, was the arrest of 52-year-old Olatunji Samson, alleged to have led a violent robbery operation at Mai Gida Estate, Amoyo, on November 21.
Ojo said a distress call was received at about 9:00 p.m. on the day of the incident, reporting that robbers invaded a residence, tied up and assaulted the victim and his private security guard, and escaped with a Lexus RS 350, $10,000, ₦2.95 million, mobile phones, gold jewellery and clothing items.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, our operatives tracked the suspects to Ibadan, Oyo State, where they attempted to dispose of the stolen Lexus RS 350 for ₦15 million,” Ojo said, adding that the suspect confessed to previously stealing vehicles for the same syndicate.
He said the operation led to the recovery of two Lexus vehicles, while a manhunt is ongoing for other fleeing gang members.
The commissioner also confirmed the arrest of other suspects linked to homicide, robbery and rape cases in Ilorin and Offa. He disclosed that 26-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim, a former hotel employee, was arrested for the murder of a hotel worker, 28-year-old Opeyemi Bello, whose body was found in her room on November 16.
“Investigations revealed that the suspect scaled the hotel fence at night with intent to steal. When the deceased sighted him, he strangled her with a bedspread,” Ojo said, adding that the suspect had confessed and would be charged to court.
In another case, Ojo said Ibrahim Abubakar and Dele Emmanuel were arrested after a stolen iPhone 14 Pro Max was traced to them following a violent attack on a woman in the Basin area of Ilorin. A stolen Toyota Camry belonging to the victim was also recovered.
Four other suspects—Umar Adamu, Aliyu Umar, Lukman Idris and Kazeem Ahmed—were arrested over coordinated robberies against students in Offa, with several smartphones and electronic devices recovered.
“Journalists remain trusted partners in our collective security efforts,” Ojo said, assuring residents that the command would intensify surveillance and sustain the offensive against criminal elements across the state.