By our Reporter
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers linked to a burglary syndicate operating in Idanre and its environs, recovering a locally made revolver and a cut-to-size single-barrel firearm during the operation.
The command said the arrests marked another major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat violent crime and enhance public safety across the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged on June 15, 2026, at the Alade/Atosin Police Station by a resident, Abayomi, who reported that unidentified burglars had broken into his cocoa store overnight and stolen a bag of cocoa valued at ₦1.25 million.
Following intelligence-led investigations, detectives identified the suspects as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun and Nura Umar, alongside other accomplices who remain at large.
Police operatives subsequently arrested the four suspects and commenced further investigations into the activities of the gang.
The command disclosed that during the investigation, detectives uncovered information linking the principal suspect, Alex Omotayo, to another incident that allegedly occurred on March 13, 2026, when he reportedly 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.
The revelation prompted detectives to obtain and execute a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.
During the search, officers recovered a cut-to-size single-barrel firearm and a locally made revolver concealed within the premises.
The recovered weapons have been taken into police custody as exhibits and will form part of the ongoing investigation.
The police said the case file and the four suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Akure for further investigation, while efforts have been intensified to track down the fleeing members of the criminal syndicate and ensure the prosecution of all those involved.
Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, urged residents, farmers, traders and business owners to strengthen security around their homes, farms, warehouses and storage facilities, particularly at night.
He stressed that protecting lives and property is a shared responsibility and appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.
The Commissioner also warned criminals to desist from unlawful activities, assuring that the command would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at identifying, arresting and prosecuting offenders.
He reaffirmed the Ondo State Police Command’s commitment to combating armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while encouraging residents to remain vigilant and partner with the police in keeping the state safe and secure.
