The Osun State Police Command on Wednesday paraded members of an inter-state armed robbery gang based in Lagos State but carrying out robbery operations in the state.
One of those arrested, Solomon Michael, while responding to questions from PUNCH Metro, admitted participating in three different robbery operations with the gang, serving as the driver of the group.
Michael admitted to having had an accident while returning from a robbery operation in Ede.
The suspect further said he used to work as a truck driver before an issue involving him and his employer landed him in the Kirikiri Custodial Centre, Lagos.
There, he said he met Sunday Felix, who initiated him fully into armed robbery.
Earlier, while parading the suspects before journalists at the command headquarters in Osogbo, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said the gang had carried out many robbery operations in Ede before they were arrested.
According to her, on April 7, 2024, a complainant had reported at the ‘B’ Division Ede, that four armed robbery gang members stormed his house located at Akankan Area, Ede, and dispossessed him and other occupants of items such as iPhone 13 Promax, Iphone 7plus, Iphone 6S, clothes, and other property valued N4.9m.
Opalola also disclosed that the same gang had on April 14, 2024, while travelling in a Toyota Corolla car, stormed a house located in Fiwasaye Agbale Area, Ede, and kidnapped a resident after stealing three HP laptop computers belonging to the occupants of the building.
“The victim was not released until 4:30 am after collecting the sum of N123,000 ransom which was transferred to Account No. 2022108661 belonging to one of the armed robbers, Solomon Michael,” she said.
During the operation, one of the armed robbers named Sunday Felix fired on the complainant’s brother; Ali Monday Segun, on his right leg.
The victim was rushed to the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife where the ammunition was removed after operation.
Also paraded was Tajudeen Abiola, who specialised in duping Point of Sale operators, using fake credit alerts.
Opalola said all the suspects would be arraigned before the court on completion of an investigation into their cases, adding that efforts would also be geared towards arresting fleeing suspects mentioned in connection to crimes in the state.
