From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers in Oro Ago Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the Command Okasanmi Ajayi in a statement said the suspects were arrested by a 5eam of policemen and members of Miyetti Allah of Oro Ago Community.
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According to the statement:
At about 1500hrs of 22/8/2022, a team of policemen and members of Miyetti Allah of Oro-Ago in a combined operation went in search of a gang of armed robbers, whose stock-in-trade was mainly robbing unsuspecting citizens in the area of their money and goods on market days.
The operation became necessary after intelligence compass pointed to the fact that the perpetrators were hibernating in the Fulani camp in Oro-Ago.
One of such armed robbery cases was reported Tuesday by one Alhaji Yahaya Ishaku ‘m’ of Ahun Fulani via Oro-Ago who was way-laid and robbed of the proceeds of the sales of his cows total sum of N600,000:00 by the following suspects. Bello Baneri ‘m’, Umaru Shehu ‘m’, Awalu Umaru ‘m’ and Mamma Muhammed ‘m’ all of Fulani camp Oro-Ago, while returning from Kara market in Ajase-Ipo where he went to sell his cows on 20/8/2022.
Interestingly, preliminary investigation revealed that the first suspect by name, Mamma Mohammed ‘M’ was hired by the complainant to help him load his cows in the vehicle while embarking on the journey to the market to sell the cows. Consequent upon finishing the loading of the cows, Mamman Mohammed ‘the suspect’ went and informed his gang members about the sale of the cows by the victim and thereafter planned and laid ambush for the victim. On his way back from the market, the victim who was on a bike returning to the camp was blocked by the gang, they hit him on the head with sticks, he fell off the motorcycle and became unconscious.He was searched by the assailants and the N600,000:00 the proceeds of the sales found on him was taken away.
In course of an investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime and the sum of N400,000: part of the stolen money was recovered, while efforts are in progress to recover the balance.
The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State, CP Tuesday Aseeyemo, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Ilorin, for discreet investigation. The CP reiterated his earlier stand that, Kwara State would be made uncomfortable and tough for criminal elements, hence, all would-be law breakers are advised to pack their loads and leave Kwara state for the law-abiding citizens and residents.
He further advised employers of labour to always do a background -check on any helping hands they intend to employ to avoid incidents of the nature reported above.