By Adegbaju Temitope 

The Ondo State Police Command has recorded a string of major breakthroughs in its ongoing war against crime, leading to the arrest of 13 suspects for various offences including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, fraud, burglary, and livestock theft across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Akure during the weekend, where he highlighted the Command’s latest operational achievements under the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

He said the arrests and recoveries were made through intelligence-led operations, swift tactical responses, and collaboration with community vigilante groups, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety in Ondo State.

According to the Commissioner, two suspected cultists and armed robbers, identified as Lawason Munini and one other, were arrested in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area.

He disclosed that a pump-action gun was recovered from them, and the duo confessed to being members of a notorious cult group known as the Malians Club, noting that efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the group.

The CP revealed that in another major operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued three abducted victims along the Oka–Akungba axis following a fierce gun duel with their captors.

He told journalists that one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Also, two locally-made pistols, expended cartridges, mobile phones, and personal belongings of the victims were recovered from the scene.

CP Adebowale stated that all victims have since been reunited with their families.

Similarly, one Ayodeji Oluwapelumi Samuel was arrested for fraud, obtaining money under false pretence, and stealing by conversion.

The suspect allegedly hacked the WhatsApp account of a retired senior police officer and used it to defraud associates of over ₦1 million.

Acting on intelligence and a court-issued Bankers’ Order, detectives tracked the suspect to Akoko-Edo, Edo State, where he was arrested with incriminating evidence.

Also in police custody, according to him, are two suspects, Kazeem Olabintan and Akeem Olayiwola, arrested for stealing and obtaining goods under false pretence.

They allegedly defrauded two businessmen of 12 Boxer motorcycles valued at about ₦19 million, under the guise of installment payments.

In another case, two suspected burglars, Ogunjimi Blessing and Mayowa Alonge, were arrested in Akure for breaking into a residence and carting away property worth ₦3.39 million, including electrical materials and a generator.

A toy gun and criminal charm were also said to have been recovered from them.

The police also apprehended Adekugbe Moses, 29, for obtaining ₦10 million from an engineer under the pretence of supplying laboratory equipment.

He later confessed to converting the money to his personal use without any intent to deliver the goods.

In a related development, four suspects were arrested for stealing and receiving stolen livestock.

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives intercepted a blue Nissan Primera conveying seven live goats suspected to have been stolen from Osun State.

Two suspects, Adewale Olafusi and Akinmuyiwa Tope, were arrested, leading to the subsequent apprehension of Usman Muritala and Ebenezer Akinnagbe, identified as the receivers of the stolen animals.

Items recovered during the operations include a pump-action gun, two locally-made pistols, expended cartridges, seven live goats, assorted electrical materials, a generator, mobile phones, a toy gun, and criminal charms.

CP Adebowale commended the dedication of officers and men of the Command and appreciated the cooperation of residents in providing useful information.

He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to rid Ondo State of criminal elements through proactive intelligence gathering, technology-driven policing, and community collaboration.

He said: “The Ondo State Police Command remains steadfast in ensuring that all law-abiding citizens live and conduct their businesses in peace. We will continue to deploy intelligence and operational resources to protect lives and property across the state.”

The arrested suspects, according to him, will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.