Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have rescued five victims of an armed robbery attack along the Ondo-Akure Road and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.
The command disclosed on Thursday that the attack occurred around 5:20 a.m. between Ita-Oba and Oboto areas, when a commercial vehicle travelling from Ondo to Akure was intercepted by armed men.
According to the police, the assailants forced the vehicle into a nearby bush and dispossessed the passengers of their belongings.
The victims were identified as Sunday Omodele, 63; Osedimilehin Peter, 29; Osedimilehin Ifeoluwa, 18; Osedimilehin Florence, 56; and Ademola Regina.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said a distress call prompted a swift response from police operatives, who collaborated with personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, to launch a targeted rescue operation.
He stated that the victims were successfully rescued unhurt, while three suspects linked to the crime were apprehended during the operation.
The suspects were identified as Akinyemi Olamilekan, Mutaka Ali and Atiku Abubakar.
Jimoh added that the suspects had provided useful information aiding ongoing investigations and would be charged to court upon completion of the probe.
The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of commuters and residents across the state, noting that surveillance, intelligence gathering and patrols had been intensified along major highways.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies to aid crime prevention.