Seven persons have been arrested in connection with bank robberies in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State and Oye-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
The suspects are Tunbosun Ojo (42), Ismaila Ojo (25), Victor Oyeyemi (36), Dele Ariyo (44), Shola Oladimeji (50), Olubodun Folayemi (44) and Adeniyi John (42).
Police operatives attached to the Special Tactical Squad apprehended the suspects for allegedly attacking and robbing three commercial banks in the South-West States of Ondo and Ekiti between 2019 and 2020,
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, innocent citizens including six (6) policemen were killed while several millions of naira were carted way during the operations.
The statement said, ”Investigation reveals that the dare-devil armed robbers – Tunbosun Ojo ‘m’ 42years, Ismaila Ojo ‘m’ 25years, Victor Oyeyemi ‘m’ 36years, Dele Ariyo ‘m’ 44years, Shola Oladimeji ‘m’ 50years, Olubodun Folayemi ‘m’ 44years and Adeniyi John ‘m’ 42 years – carried out the robbery of a commercial bank in Ile-oluji, Ondo State on 7th February, 2020 where four (4) policemen were killed. Similarly they were also involved in the robbery of a Microfinance Bank in Idanre, Ondo State in December, 2019 and a commercial bank at Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State where two policemen lost their lives.”
Mba said efforts are currently being intensified to arrest other members of the gang and to recover other sophisticated weapons used to perpetrate the crimes.
He stated that one AK49 rifle, one (1) AK47 rifle, two pump action guns, five locally made guns, nineteen locally made short guns, one hundred and twenty-five (125) cartridges, one hundred and forty-five (145) AK47 ammunition, locally fabricated explosives and a Toyota Corolla vehicle with Reg. No. LSR 490 GC were earlier recovered.
The police spokesman said the suspects will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.