Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Special Tactical Squad (STS) have arrested a seven-man gang for attacking and robbing three commercial banks in Ondo and Ekiti states between 2019 and 2020.
Parading the suspects alongside 23 others, Thursday at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Headquarters, Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, said six policemen as well as other citizens were killed by the bank robbers who carted away several millions of naira.
“Investigation reveals that the dare-devil armed robbers: Tunbosun Ojo, 42; Ismaila Ojo, 25; Victor Oyeyemi, 36; Dele Ariyo, 44; Shola Oladimeji, 50; Olubodun Folayemi, 44; and Adeniyi John, 42; carried out the robbery of a commercial bank in Ile-oluji, Ondo state on February 7, 2020, where four 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 stated.
The spokesperson said efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the gang, still at large, and to recover other weapons used in the operations.
Parading other suspects, Mba said: “Twenty-three other suspects were also arrested by the Police operatives for their involvement in various crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, car snatching at gunpoint, amongst other offences.
“The following were recovered from the suspects: one AK49 rifle; one AK47 rifle; two pump action guns; 24 locally made guns; 125 cartridges; 145 AK47 ammunition; locally fabricated explosives; and a Toyota Corolla vehicle with Reg. No. LSR 490 GC.”
He said the suspects would be charged to court on conclusion of investigations.
