Police arrest eight-man gang over ‘multiple bank robberies’ in Ekiti

The Police command in Ekiti has arrested eight suspects alleged to be involved in several bank robberies in the state.

Ogundare Dare, commissioner of police in the state, on Friday, said four suspects were also arrested for receiving stolen properties, and four others for related crimes.

He said that the robbery gang was allegedly involved in attacks on several banks in the state, including banks in Oye and Iyin where lives were lost in 2018 and 2019.

Those arrested were Dele Ajayi (Doni), Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Segun Folorunso Ojo (Alakure), Raymond Hamilton Francis, Godwin Emeka (Mayo), and Odiri Isaac (Zion).

The police commissioner added that the gang members were arrested in Lagos by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) following credible intelligence.

“All were arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos state for their involvement in several highway robberies involving Union Bank, Igede-Ekiti in 2018, First Bank, Ifaki-Ekiti in 2018, UBA, Oye-Ekiti in 2019 and WEMA Bank in 2020,” he said.

“The same gang was equally involved in the robbery of Access Bank, Ijero in 2018, highway robbery in Odogbolu, Ogun state and kidnapping of one Olowo Bolaji at Ipoti-Ekiti on January 29, 2020.

“The same victim had identified the suspects, and they equally confessed to the alleged crimes.”

Dare said two other members of the gang whose names are Shola Ayeni (Sengere) and Aremu Adebayo (Senior boy), were arrested in different towns of Ekiti by the police.

“Upon the confession made by the arrested suspects, four receivers of stolen vehicles and other valuables namely: Idris Ayodeji, Ayeni Tope (Teriba), Tirimisiyu Giwa and Wasiu Alabi (Rada), were arrested,” he said.

“Items recovered from the suspects are one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size double barrel gun, two fabricated guns, six live cartridges and ten suspected stolen vehicles.”