Police Nab Four Suspected Robbers, Recover Firearms in Ondo Community
By Olusegun HOSEA
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers allegedly linked to a burglary syndicate operating in Idanre Local Government Area, recovering two locally fabricated firearms during the operation.
The suspects, identified as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun and Nura Umar, were apprehended following an investigation into the theft of a bag of cocoa valued at ₦1.25 million from a store in Alade-Idanre.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the breakthrough was recorded under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
The statement disclosed that the case originated from a complaint lodged on June 15, 2026, at the Alade/Atosin Police Station by one Abayomi of Alade-Idanre, who reported that unknown persons had burgled his cocoa store during the night and made away with the produce.
Police detectives, acting on intelligence and sustained investigations, identified the suspects and uncovered their alleged involvement in a wider criminal network, with some accomplices still on the run.
Further investigations reportedly revealed that the principal suspect, Alex Omotayo, had on March 13, 2026, allegedly stormed the premises of Idanre High School armed with two firearms and threatened to kill a security guard whom he accused of shooting at him the previous night.
Following the development, operatives executed a search warrant at his residence, where they recovered a cut-to-size single-barrel gun and a locally made revolver concealed within the premises.
The recovered weapons have been taken into police custody as exhibits, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Akure for further investigation and the arrest of other fleeing members of the gang.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents, farmers, traders and business owners to strengthen security measures around their homes, farms, warehouses and storage facilities, especially during the night.
He also warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities, stressing that intelligence-driven operations and coordinated policing efforts would continue across the state to ensure offenders are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while appealing to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support security agencies in safeguarding lives and property across Ondo State.
