Police Parade Notorious Car Theft Syndicate, Others in Ondo

Fidelis David in Akure

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command, have arrested four suspects who specialise in car snatching and robbery in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, while parading members of the syndicate alongside other suspects at the Command’s headquarters in Akure, said the arrests were part of the significant strides the Force made in the fight against crime in the state in August.

Precisely, Oladipo said the car snatching suspects are members of a four-man gang who specialize in inter-state car snatching, adding that through intelligence gathering, they were arrested in Ogun State where they usually take the stolen vehicles  to sell, and that seven vehicles were recovered while efforts are on to get others.

According to him, “On July 11, 2024, a petition was received at the Command detailing a daring armed robbery. A Toyota Corolla, a Tecno POP 5 phone, and N1.5 million in cash were stolen at gunpoint. Our Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, using advanced intelligence, traced the perpetrators of the crime to Ogun State, where some suspects were arrested.

“Among these suspects was Akinsanya Sarafa Adeniyi, a notorious receiver of stolen vehicles, known in certain circles as ‘Oba Idan’. Also arrested was a female accomplice, who produced fake vehicular documents, and others who aided the principal suspect in evading arrest. Despite our success, the mastermind remains at large, and our search for him continues.

“In another act of violence, on August 11, 2024, a commercial motorcyclist was attacked while simply trying to earn his daily bread. Contracted to carry a passenger to Oke-Agbe, Adeferati Road in Akungba Akoko, the motorcyclist was ambushed by the passenger and two others who emerged from the bushes. Shot in the thigh, he was left for dead as they fled with his motorcycle. Fortunately, the victim survived and was able to identify one of his attackers, leading to the arrest of Saheed Musa, a member of the Neo Black Movement (Aiye Confraternity).”

On a specific note, Oladipo said the police have arrested the suspected killers of the President/Chief Executive Officer of Kitchen County, late Mrs. Debbie Olakunbi Monsurat Iyabo Adene (Nee Oyeneye), who was  gruesomely murdered in her home in Akure, Ondo State, last month.

He said: “On the afternoon of July 28, 2024, officers at the Oda Division Police headquarters received an unsettling report.

 A foul odour had been perceived coming from the apartment of Mrs. Adene, a well-known caterer, who had not been seen in days. Officers rushed to the scene, where they discovered a grim sight-her mutilated body on her bed. Nearby, a blood-stained machete and a mobile phone hinted at the violence that had taken place. This tragic incident was quickly escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

“Through painstaking investigative works and technical intelligence, our officers arrested 17-year-old Philip Emmanuel, a trusted employee of the deceased. In a shocking confession, Emmanuel revealed that he had conspired with Mrs. Deborah’s driver to kill her. The driver, eager to start a ‘yahoo’ business, suggested they steal her ATM card, having overheard that a large sum of money was soon to be deposited into her account.

“On July 25, 2024, Emmanuel and the driver carried out their horrific plan. After lurking around till the unsuspecting woman fell asleep, they brutally attacked her, stole her ATM card, and withdrew a total of N60,000. The driver remains at large, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.”

He said the tragic murder of Mrs. Adene underscores the importance of exercising caution when discussing sensitive financial information, especially around employees or individuals who might misuse such knowledge.

The police commissioner said his men also arrested a hunter, Ajegba Joseph, for attempted murder.

“On August 23, 2024, at about 2300hrs, a case of attempted murder was reported to the police, the victim went to his friend, who is a divorcee in her house.

“Ajegba Joseph, a hunter, 38, who was also having an affair with the woman, visited her on the same day in possession of an unlicensed single barrel gun. However, upon sighting the victim with the woman in bed, the suspect shot the victim through the window side. The suspect was arrested and the barrel gun recovered with an expended cartridge, while the victim rescued by the police is currently recuperating at the hospital.

“Also, on August 11, 2024, a case of theft was reported at Ala Area Command. The victim left his Techno POP 08 phone charging in his car overnight, along with a cash sum of N400, 000. By morning, both the phone and the money were gone.

“Our investigation quickly led us to Oni Samuel, a 40-year-old man with a history of stealing car stereos and phones. Upon searching his residence, we uncovered not just the stolen items but also a Beretta pistol, live ammunition, handcuffs, pepper spray, laptops, and various other electronic devices. Samuel’s illegal activities extended beyond mere theft, as he is now facing multiple charges,” he said.

Oladipo reassured the residents of the coastal state that he would do all within his power to prevent crimes in all of its forms, and ensure the safety of everyone in the state.