Operatives of Amotekun Corps in Osun State have apprehended 27-year-old Olalekan Hassan for allegedly engaging in armed robbery in some communities in the state.
Before he was eventually arrested, Hassan and his gang members were alleged to have carried out robbery operations in Ila-Orangun, Iree, and Ilesa towns.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Amotekun Corps in Osun, Idowu Yusuf, on Thursday, the security outfit also said Hassan and his men, armed with dangerous weapons during their various operations, terrorised their victims and stole people’s properties at gunpoint.
“The suspect, who hails from Ile-Ife, was living in Ilesa but was arrested in Ila-Orangun from where he was subsequently transferred to the state headquarters of the Amotekun corps for further investigation.
“The suspect was apprehended following a coordinated operation based on credible intelligence. The suspect’s arrest has brought to light a series of criminal activities in which he has been implicated, alongside three other accomplices named as Segun, Wale and Adebayo.
“Hassan Olalekan and his gang are suspected to have been behind a series of robberies and burglaries in the towns of Ila-Orangun, Iree, and Ilesa. The gang, which was heavily armed, allegedly used firearms to terrorise residents, loot properties, and steal valuable items.”
The group was reportedly armed with three pistols and a barrel gun, which they used to threaten and overpower their victims during their criminal operations,” the statement partly read.
The corps further disclosed that under interrogation, Hassan admitted to being involved in armed robbery operations alongside his accomplices, where cash, electronics, and other valuables were stolen.
Reacting to the development, Osun Amotekun corps commander, Dr. Isaac Omoyele, described Hassan as a notorious criminal who terrorised various communities in the state with his gang before luck ran out on him.
He added, “This arrest is a major breakthrough in our efforts to clamp down on criminal elements within Osun State. We are committed to ensuring that those who engage in such activities face the full force of the law.
“The Osun Amotekun Corps is working in close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force. We have since forwarded Olalekan’s case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further inquiry.
“Investigators are now working to track down the remaining members of the criminal gang, who are still at large. Additionally, efforts are being made to recover stolen items from the various robbery incidents.”
Stressing the need for more vigilance by the residents, Omoyele urged them to report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
