The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers linked to a burglary syndicate operating in Idanre, recovering two illegal firearms during the operation.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the arrests marked another major breakthrough in the police’s sustained campaign against violent crime under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
According to the police, the investigation began after a complaint was lodged on June 15, 2026, at the Alade/Atosin Police Station by a resident of Alade-Idanre, who reported that unknown burglars had broken into his cocoa store overnight and stolen a bag of cocoa valued at ₦1.25 million.
Following intelligence-led investigations, detectives identified the suspects as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun and Nura Umar, along with other accomplices who remain at large. Police operatives subsequently arrested the four suspects and launched further investigations into the activities of the criminal gang.
Investigators later uncovered that the principal suspect, Alex Omotayo, had allegedly invaded Idanre High School on March 13, 2026, armed with two firearms, where he reportedly threatened to kill a security guard whom he accused of shooting at him the previous night.
Acting on the new intelligence, police obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence, where officers recovered a cut-to-size single-barrel gun and a locally made revolver concealed within the premises.
The recovered weapons have been taken into police custody as exhibits, while the case and the suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Akure for further investigation and efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu urged residents, farmers, traders and business owners to strengthen security around their homes, farms and storage facilities, particularly at night, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.
He also warned criminals to abandon their unlawful activities, noting that the Command would continue intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders.
The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while encouraging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support law enforcement efforts across Ondo State.
