Ondo Police Arrest 10 Suspects, Recover AK-47, Pistol, Guns in Major Crackdown
By Olusegun HOSEA
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects in separate security operations across the state, recovering an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, locally made guns and other dangerous weapons in a major crackdown on armed robbery and violent land disputes.
Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Akure, where he highlighted the Command’s recent operational successes since assuming office as the 47th Commissioner of Police in Ondo State.
According to the CP, operatives arrested three suspected members of a notorious interstate armed robbery syndicate allegedly linked to a series of violent robberies in Ondo and Lagos states.
The suspects were identified as Promise Daniel, 34; Ifeanyi Umahi, 29; and Adaramoye Abayomi, 37.
Ohagwu said the suspects were arrested on July 18, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation in connection with an armed robbery case reported on June 14, 2026, at the Iju Police Division in Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area.
He explained that operatives intercepted the suspects while travelling in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz ML 350 SUV.
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 live ammunition, one UTC axe and one iron cutter.
The police commissioner said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belong to an interstate armed robbery syndicate that had been under police surveillance for alleged involvement in several violent robbery operations across Ondo State.
He added that the suspects made useful confessional statements, which are assisting investigators in tracking down other fleeing members of the gang and uncovering the full scope of their criminal activities.
In a separate operation, the Command also arrested seven suspects after preventing what it described as a potentially deadly clash over a disputed farmland in Kajola, Ore axis of the state.
The incident occurred on July 18, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m. at Adegbiji farmland via Kajola.
Police investigations showed that the dispute involved Akinsulu Titus and Ajani Abiodun, both from Ayetoro via Kajola, who are parties in a land case currently before a High Court in Ore.
According to the police, both parties arrived at the disputed land with supporters, including commercial motorcycle riders and three persons alleged to be soldiers, who are currently on the run.
The disagreement reportedly escalated after allegations that palm trees and other economic crops had been destroyed, resulting in a violent confrontation during which the principal parties sustained injuries.
Police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, restored normalcy and recovered a yellow bag containing two locally made guns, two cutlasses, a bag of suspected charms, a rubber container labelled “Acid” and other dangerous weapons.
The case has been transferred to the Command Surveillance Squad in Akure for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects, including the three alleged soldiers.
Ohagwu warned individuals involved in civil disputes, particularly matters pending before the courts, against taking the law into their own hands or resorting to violence.
He assured residents that thorough investigations would be conducted into both cases and that all suspects found culpable would be charged to court in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining peace across the state and responding decisively to security threats.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely, credible and actionable information to aid crime prevention and the arrest of criminal elements.
Ohagwu expressed appreciation to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his support in strengthening security operations in the state, while also acknowledging the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for providing strategic direction to the Force.
