AfriPulse
July 3 (THEWILL) — The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an armed cocoa theft syndicate operating in Idanre, recovering two illegal firearms during the operation.
The suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation into the burglary of a cocoa store in Alade-Idanre, where a bag of cocoa valued at ₦1.25 million was stolen on June 15, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the Command identified the arrested suspects as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun and Nura Umar. Detectives linked the suspects to the burglary after painstaking intelligence gathering, while other members of the syndicate are still being tracked.
Police said investigations uncovered another alleged crime involving the principal suspect, Alex Omotayo. He was said to have stormed the premises of Idanre High School on March 13, 2026, armed with two firearms, where he allegedly threatened to kill a security guard whom he accused of shooting at him the previous night.
The fresh revelation prompted detectives to obtain a search warrant for the suspect’s residence. During the search, officers recovered a cut-to-size single-barrel gun and a locally made revolver concealed within the premises. The weapons were taken into custody as exhibits.
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The Command said the suspects and the case file have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Akure for further investigation and prosecution, while efforts have been intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the criminal gang.
Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu urged residents, particularly farmers, traders and business owners, to improve security around their homes, farms, warehouses and storage facilities, especially at night, describing the protection of lives and property as a shared responsibility.
He also warned criminals to abandon unlawful activities, stressing that intelligence-driven operations would continue across Ondo State to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders. The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to combat armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while calling on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support policing efforts.
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