The Ondo State Police Command has announced major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against crime, including the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious interstate armed robbery syndicate and the recovery of sophisticated firearms, as well as the foiling of a violent land dispute that could have resulted in loss of lives.
Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, disclosed the developments on Monday during a press briefing in Akure, saying the successes reflected the Command’s renewed intelligence driven policing strategy and determination to rid the state of criminal elements.
Ohagwu said the Command’s achievements were recorded under his leadership as the 47th Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, attributing the successes to proactive policing, effective intelligence gathering and the dedication of officers and men of the Command.
The police boss also commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his support towards improving security in the state and appreciated the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for providing strategic leadership to the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on the arrest of the robbery suspects, the Commissioner said operatives acting on credible intelligence apprehended three suspected members of an interstate armed robbery syndicate believed to be responsible for several violent robbery operations across Ondo and Lagos states.
The suspects were identified as Promise Daniel, 34, Ifeanyi Umahi, 29, and Adaramoye Abayomi, 37.
According to him, the suspects were arrested on July 18 while travelling in an ash coloured Mercedes Benz ML350 Sports Utility Vehicle following weeks of surveillance linked to an armed robbery case reported at Iju Division, Ita Ogbolu, in Akure North Local Government Area on June 14.
He said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one AK 47 rifle, one magazine loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition, one English made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, one UTC axe and one iron cutter.
Ohagwu disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects belonged to a notorious armed robbery syndicate already on the Command’s watchlist.
He added that the suspects had made useful confessional statements, which were assisting investigators in tracking other fleeing gang members and unravelling the full scope of the syndicate’s criminal operations.
In another development, the Police Commissioner said officers successfully prevented what could have degenerated into a deadly clash arising from a land dispute in Kajola, Ore axis of the state.
He explained that the incident occurred on Saturday at a disputed farmland in Adegbiji via Kajola, involving two parties identified as Akinsulu Titus and Ajani Abiodun, who are currently locked in a land ownership case before a High Court sitting in Ore.
According to him, both parties arrived at the farmland with supporters, including commercial motorcycle riders and three persons alleged to be soldiers who fled before the arrival of security operatives.
The dispute, he said, escalated after allegations of destruction of palm trees and other economic crops, leaving both principal parties with varying degrees of injuries.
The Commissioner said police operatives swiftly intervened, restored order and recovered two locally made guns, two cutlasses, a bag containing suspected charms, a rubber container labelled acid and other dangerous weapons abandoned at the scene.
He disclosed that seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects, including the alleged soldiers.
The case, according to him, has been transferred to the Command Surveillance Squad in Akure for discreet investigation.
Ohagwu warned individuals involved in civil disputes against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that all matters pending before competent courts should be resolved through lawful means rather than violence.
He assured residents that thorough investigations would be conducted into both cases and that all suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Ondo State Police Command to maintaining peace and security across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and the arrest of criminal elements.
