The Osun State Police Command has apprehended 20 individuals in connection with various criminal activities across the state, including armed robbery, rape, and fraud.
The spokesperson for the command, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed the arrests during a press briefing on Friday.
She highlighted several incidents, including a violent robbery along the Ilesha-Osu Road, where a gang attacked motorists and passengers, stealing valuables such as cash, jewelry, and mobile phones.
“In one of these cases, a bus driver was shot in the leg and later treated at the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife,” Opalola stated. “A female passenger was also raped during the attack.”
She revealed that one of the suspects, 28-year-old Olajide Kareem, was arrested in a nearby bush by a combined team of police officers and vigilantes. During interrogation, Kareem confessed to being part of a five-man gang from Ikorodu, Lagos State, that orchestrated the robbery.
Further investigations led officers to Majidun, Ikorodu, where two accomplices, Mike Emmanuel, 33, and Godwin Emmanuel, 23, were apprehended. “The suspects admitted to their involvement in the crimes,” Opalola added.
In a particularly harrowing account, a 65-year-old victim identified Kareem as the individual who assaulted her during one of the robberies. “The victim and her sick husband were en route to the hospital when their vehicle was ambushed. Tragically, her husband died at the scene,” Opalola said.
Another suspect, Emmanuel Anthony, was paraded for allegedly impersonating a military officer to carry out robberies. “He reportedly forced a victim to transfer N3 million to his account and stole mobile phones worth over N1.25 million,” Opalola explained.
Additional suspects facing charges for conspiracy, armed robbery, and possession of stolen vehicles were also presented. They include Lawan Yaro, Gambo Dugje, Adam Abba, Ali Usman, Ali Muhammed, Abbas Abogu, and Kamal Haudu.
The police spokesperson assured the public that all suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations. “We remain committed to ensuring justice for victims and maintaining security in Osun State,” she concluded.
