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The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in armed robbery, land grabbing and other violent crimes in Ibadan.
The suspect, identified as Arowolo Ademola Adeyemo, popularly known as “Demmy,” was arrested at about 2:45 am on Saturday after operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Oyo Base, received intelligence that members of the alleged syndicate had gathered at a hideout in the Soka area of Ibadan.
The command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement issued on Sunday, said its operatives acted on the intelligence and arrested Adeyemo there.
A search of the suspect, according to the police, led to the recovery of “one fabricated English pistol, one long single-barrel gun, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition and nine live cartridges.”
The police said Adeyemo confessed during interrogation to involvement in land grabbing, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
“His confession has provided useful leads towards identifying other members of the gang and establishing the extent of their involvement in related criminal activities,” Olayinka said.
Police said other suspected members of the group remained at large and that efforts to arrest them were ongoing.
“Consequently, investigation is ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang who are still at large,” he added.
The command added that Adeyemo “will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the operatives to intensify efforts to arrest the remaining suspects.
The command said Olugbenga had directed the team to focus on “apprehending the remaining members of the gang and bringing them to justice.”
The police also urged residents to provide information that could assist investigations and the fight against crime in the state.
“The Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and urges members of the public to provide credible information that will assist in the fight against crime across the State,” Olayinka added.
