The Ekiti State Police Command on Tuesday announced the arrest of 44 suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations that yielded the recovery of 558 rustled cattle, several stolen vehicles and other incriminating items.
The Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo, speaking at a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, said the arrests arose from sustained investigations aimed at preserving the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
He described the operation as a major operational breakthrough for the command.
Eribo said the detained suspects face various allegations, including armed robbery, cattle rustling, burglary, child exploitation and stealing.
He disclosed that police recovered seven stolen vehicles from a gang linked to a recent spate of car-snatching incidents in Ado-Ekiti and neighbouring communities.
According to the commissioner, officers also seized 10 fabricated master keys, multiple vehicle licence plates and other objects used to facilitate the thefts.
Preliminary enquiries indicated the syndicate manufactured as many as 29 master keys to aid their activities.
The command said investigations are ongoing as detectives work to unravel the full scope of the criminal networks and recover any further stolen property.