Kwara state police command Sunday said it operatives have apprehended a gang of three armed robbers who have been terrorising students of Kwara state university, Malete and its environs.
The command gave the names of the arrested suspects as Ridwan Abdulfatai (20 years) of Oke foma area, Ibrahim Ridwan Akorede ‘M’ 25yrs also of Oke Fomo area of Ilorin, and Aliyu Abubakar Apalado ‘M’ 25yrs.
It said one locally made gun, one Jack knife and charms, 87 handsets , 10 laptops and 11 generating sets amongs other items were recovered from them.
The arrest of the suspects according to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara state police command Okasanmi Ajayi (SP) followed report of armed robbery attacks lodged by three 400 level students of Kwara state university, Malete.
He said the offence for which they were arrested was carried out on 7th October, 2022.
Okasanmi said following reports of incessants armed robbery attacks and rape on the students of the university residents of the town, the state’s commissioner of police Paul Odama “set up a crack team of detectives comprising the anti-cultists, anti-Kidnapping, anti-robbery and personnel of Malete Division with the mandate to break the suspects foothold and bring the culprits to justice.
“In carrying out the directive of the CP after recieving another report of an armed robbery attack from the trio of Adeboyo Omolade ‘F’, Adeyeye Adebola ‘F’ and Babatunde Hellen ‘F’ all 400L students of Kwara state university, Malete that at about 0330hrs of 07/10/2022, they were all robbed at their hostel called ‘Downtown’ hostel by armed hoodlums and their property forcefully carted away.
“While approaching the suspected hide out of the gang, the team was sighted by the hoodlums and the armed robbers took to their heels, one Ridwan Abdulfatai ‘M’ aged 20yrs, from Oke Fomo Ilorin was arrested by the detectives.
“Consequently, the suspect under intense interrogation confessed he is the leader of a robbery gang terrorizing the Malete community and its environs, stating also that he is also a jail bird.
“He led the investigators to effect the arrest of two other members of the gang, namely, Ibrahim Ridwan Akorede ‘M’ 25yrs of Oke Fomo area of Ilorin, and Aliyu Abubakar Apalado ‘M’ 25yrs, they all confessed to the crimes.
“The investigation also led to the recovery of the following items snatched on gun points during some of their operations.
“One Locally made gun, One Jack knife and charms.
Eleven(11) Generators.
Two (2) Motorcycles.
One(1) small size fridge
One(1) standing fan
One(1) pumping machine
Nineteen(19) iPhone 6 hand sets.
“Three(3) iPhone11 handsets,
Sixteen(16) iPhone 6 plus
Five(5) iPhone XR and other brands telephone handsets altogether totalling Eighty-seven (87) handsets.
Ten(10) Laptops and Two(2) Television sets.
“Effort is still geared towards arresting the remaining members of the gang.
“CP Paul Odama who promised to charge the suspects to court after conclusion of investigation, has for the umpteenth time warned criminal elements in Kwara State to either relocate from the state or be relocated to prisons.
“According to the CP, no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that Kwara State, a State of harmony remains truly, a State of harmony.
“While advising members of the public, the CP reiterates the need to always give information to the police, as the police Could not work in isolation of the members of the society. He stated his resolve to operate an open door policy in line with the spirit and letter of community policing”.
