Police arrest four suspected armed robbers in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended four individuals suspected of belonging to an armed robbery and burglary syndicate operating in the Alade-Idanre community. The arrests followed a report filed on June 15, 2026, concerning the theft of a bag of cocoa valued at 1,250,000 naira from a store.

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The command has arrested four suspected armed robbers linked to a burglary syndicate operating within Idanre and its environs. The operation also led to the recovery of illegal firearms, further reinforcing the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.

The suspects, identified as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun, and Nura Umar, were apprehended after painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation by detectives. Police stated that the operation not only led to the recovery of illegal firearms but also reinforced the command's commitment to ensuring public safety.

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The investigation was triggered by a report made on 15th June, 2026, at the Alade/Atosin Police Station by one Abayomi of Alade-Idanre. The complainant reported that unknown persons had burgled his cocoa store during the night and carted away a bag of cocoa valued at N1,250,000.

Further investigation revealed a pattern of violent criminal behavior, particularly by the principal suspect, Alex Omotayo. On March 13, 2026, Omotayo allegedly entered the Idanre High School premises armed with two firearms, threatening a security guard. This incident prompted a search of his residence, where officers discovered one locally made revolver and a cut-to-size single-barrel firearm.

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Following painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation by detectives, the perpetrators were identified as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun, Nura Umar and other accomplices who are currently at large. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives arrested the four named suspects and commenced further investigation into the activities of the criminal gang.

The recovered weapons have been secured as exhibits, and the case, along with the four suspects, has been transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit in Akure for further investigation. Authorities are actively pursuing the remaining members of the gang and are urging the public to remain vigilant and provide any credible information to aid in their efforts to keep the state secure.

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This revelation further established the suspect’s violent criminal disposition and necessitated a comprehensive search of his residence. A search warrant was subsequently executed at the residence of the principal suspect, where officers recovered one cut-to-size single-barrel firearm and one locally made revolver concealed within the premises.