The Ondo state Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against violent crimes with the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious interstate armed robbery syndicate allegedly responsible for a series of robbery operations across Ondo and Lagos states.
The state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, stated this while briefing journalists in Akure Monday. He described the operation as the outcome of painstaking intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance by operatives of the command.
The police commissioner said the suspects-Promise Daniel, 34; Ifeanyi Umahi, 29 and Adaramoye Abayomi, 37,were arrested on Saturday, July 18, 2026, in connection with an armed robbery case initially reported on June 14, 2026, at the Iju Police Division in Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North local government area.
Ohagwu stated that the suspects were intercepted while travelling in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz ML 350 SUV following credible intelligence.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition, an English-made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and a UTC axe and an iron cutter.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belong to a notorious armed robbery syndicate that had been on the command’s watch list for its alleged involvement in several violent robbery operations across Ondo state and neighbouring areas.
The commissioner further stated that the suspects had made useful confessional statements regarding the ownership of the recovered weapons and other criminal activities.
He added that the information being provided by the suspects was assisting investigators in tracking other fleeing members of the gang.
The latest arrests came barely hours after suspected armed robbers ambushed a female motorist, Mrs. Adebusoye Atinuke, along the Ondo–Ile-Oluji Road on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in what police described as an attempted armed robbery attack.
The 50-year-old victim was reportedly driving along the road at about 6:30 p.m. when the gunmen opened fire on her vehicle in an apparent attempt to force her to stop. Despite the heavy gunfire, she displayed remarkable courage by accelerating her vehicle and escaping unhurt.