Police bust robbery syndicate in Ondo, arrest 87-year-old arms supplier

The Ondo police command says it has arrested three members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the murder of Nwike Sabbat, a 25-year-old man, in Ondo west LGA of the state. 

Speaking in Akure, Adebowale Lawal, the state commissioner of police, also said the command arrested an 87-year-old man accused of supplying the robbery gang with arms and ammunition.

Lawal said the arrests followed the police’s ongoing investigation into the murder of Sabbat, who was killed during a robbery incident on July 29.

He said the first suspect, Adeife Adewumi, a native of Idanre but resident in Mokola, Ibadan, was arrested after the deceased’s stolen motorcycle was found in his possession.

“During interrogation, Adeife Adewumi revealed information implicating his accomplices who were still at large within Ondo state,” he said.

“Acting on this lead, an intelligence-led team proceeded to Ilaramokin in Ifedore LGA, where two additional suspects, namely Johnson Mathew, 24, and Disu Sunday, were arrested at their hideout.”

The commissioner said the suspects in Ilaramokin confessed to being part of the gang responsible for the robbery and killing.

Lawal added that further investigations led to the arrest of Chief Kogbona, an 87-year-old man from Ododo in Idanre, identified as the gang’s arms supplier.

“Upon arrest, the following items were recovered from the suspects: Two cut-to-size locally made guns (barrels); one live cartridge; one expended cartridge,” he said.

“Subsequently, at about 1000hrs, further investigation led to the arrest of one Chief Kogbona (male), 87 years old, of Odole Street, Ododo, Idanre, who has been identified as the illegal supplier of arms and ammunition to the gang. A search conducted at his residence resulted in the recovery of ten (10) live cartridges.”

Lawal said the command, in a separate operation, arrested ten illegal immigrants accused of smuggling themselves and another individual into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin and Congo.

The police said the group conspired to bring one Nzaou Yelica Christ-Olse, a 29-year-old Congolese man, into the country without his consent.

Lawal said all suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the vision of Kayode Egbetokun, inspector general of police, which emphasises intelligence-driven operations and a people-centered approach to law enforcement.