Ogun state police command said it had arrested three members of a robbery syndicate who invaded popular phone market in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The suspects reportedly escaped arrest when they carted away several high valued phones, left one trader dead in the course of the robbery operation in April, 2023.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a press statement on Sunday, said the suspects were arrested following an information received by policemen attached to Kemta divisional headquarters.
Oyeyemi named the suspects to include, Ajayi Kayode, Habeeb Idowu and Temitayo Oresanya
He added that the suspects have been hibernating at Abule Ake area of Kemta for quite some time after the operation, in order to evade Police arrest.
“Upon the information, the DPO Kemta division, CSP Adeniyi Adekunle, mobilized his men and moved to the scene where the three suspects were apprehended.
“Two amongst the suspects have confessed their participation in the robbery incident, while the third one Temitayo Oresanya though affirmed to be a member of the same cult group with them claimed that he didn’t participate in the robbery.
“He stated further that Ajayi Kayode and Habeeb Idowu came to his house at Abule Ake to hide from the police after their robbery escapade.
“It will be recalled that the daredevil robbers invaded Tarmac on the 12th of April at about 5 pm, shooting sporadically and carted away several phones after they shot dead one of the traders identified as Dayo Bankole. One of the robbers by name Sakiru Adeniji was arrested at the scene, while others escaped”, the statement reads
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Yomi Oladimeji, who commended members of the public for their cooperation by giving useful information to the police, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation.
He also directed that the remaining members of the gang must be hunted for and brought to justice.