The Ondo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious gunrunner and local arms fabricator said to be supplying firearms to criminal groups operating across Ondo, Osun, Kogi, Edo, and Kwara states.
The breakthrough followed a robbery incident in Irele town, where a female victim was dispossessed of her unregistered motorcycle, cash of ₦250,000, and other valuables, before being shot in the leg.
Police operatives swiftly arrested one of the suspects in Irele and later tracked down two others at a hotel in Ore.
Building on the arrests, investigators apprehended the suspected gunrunner, who had been on the command’s watchlist for a long time.
Police say his operations played a significant role in fueling violent crimes such as armed robbery across the region.
Four suspects linked to the case have already been arraigned in court on charges of armed robbery and attempted murder, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the officers involved in the operation and assured residents of the command’s determination to stamp out criminal activities.
“There will be no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State. We shall continue to pursue them, dismantle their networks, and ensure that peace and security prevail across every community,” Lawal said.
The police command urged residents to support security efforts by providing credible information, assuring the public that such details would be treated with confidentiality.