… Uncovers underground cell
By Our Reporter
In a decisive crackdown on criminal activities, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspects in two separate operations involving kidnapping and illegal drug trafficking, recovering a cache of arms, dangerous weapons, and 51 bags of Indian hemp.
The first operation unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, when operatives of the Epinmi Vigilante Group, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended a 25-year-old suspect, Arohunmolase Idowu, of Araromi Isalu Quarters, Epinmi Akoko.
It was gathered that the suspect who was found loitering suspiciously at odd hours, failed to give a convincing explanation for his movements.
The incident was promptly reported to the Divisional Police Officer in Isua, who swiftly mobilised a joint security team, including the police and sister agencies.
Following preliminary interrogation, the team arrested another suspect, Bada Tosin, aged 26, also of Epinmi Akoko.
The two suspects led operatives to a remote building concealed within a bushy area.
A search of the building uncovered two locally-made dane guns, four cutlasses, four axes, assorted charms, and other dangerous weapons.
A particularly grim discovery was a deep pit inside the building, suspected to have been used as a holding cell for kidnapped victims.
The suspects and all recovered exhibits have since been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Akure, for further investigation.
Barely 24 hours later, on Wednesday morning, operatives of the Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS) intercepted two suspected drug traffickers at Ikare Junction in Owo.
The suspects, identified as Usman Bashir, 27, and Usman Muhammad, 17, both from Kaduna State, were caught transporting 51 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, each bag weighing approximately 9kg.
The exhibits have been secured as evidence while investigations continue to unearth the larger drug distribution network believed to be behind the illicit cargo.
The Commissioner of Police, through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, commended the vigilance and quick response of security personnel involved in both operations.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements from the state, vowing that such decisive operations would be sustained to safeguard the lives and property of residents.
Further developments on both cases are expected as investigations progress.
