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…Arrest 18 suspects in Imo over killing of 2 officers
By Bisi LAWAL & Tayo ABIOLA
The Ogun State Police Command is preliminarily investigating the three arrested suspects in the alleged robbery and rape of some students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, living at Ode Remo and Ipara in the Remo North Local Government area of the state.
The Command Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, in a statement on Tuesday, named the arrested as Taiwo Oredoyin, Taiwo Kuti and Folorunsho Saheed.
The statement partly reads, “The Ogun State Police Command has made significant progress in apprehending suspected armed robbers and recovering firearms and ammunition from three armed men who have invaded Ode Remo and Ipara, raped female students, and continued terrorising the tertiary institutions within that area.
“The suspects at first denied it, but a victim of their last robbery operation identified one out of the three-man gang of young men, terrifying Gateway Polytechnic.
“Following a security summit organized by the Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, in response to recent shooting incidents at Gateway Polytechnic, a proactive operation was conducted based on intelligence.
“On November 27, 2023, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, implemented a stop-and-search operation in the Ode Remo and Ipara areas. During the operation, a gang of three suspected armed young men were intercepted on a motorcycle.
“The suspects attempted to evade arrest by resorting to violent means to escape but were eventually apprehended.
“The suspects arrested have been profiled as Taiwo Oredoyin ‘M’ (27 years old), Taiwo Kuti ‘M’ (35 years old), and Folorunsho Saheed ‘M’ (36 years old), all belonging to Isara town in Ogun State. Upon conducting a search on them, police officers discovered one locally fabricated pistol with two live cartridges, as well as two Samsung phones, in their possessions.
“The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation as part of the preliminary investigation. Upon completion of this phase, they will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a more in-depth and discreet investigation.”
Recall that students of the institution had recently faced the challenge of robbery attacks, during which about two of them were shot while others were reportedly raped.
Armed robbers recently attacked a private hostel of students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, where some students were robbed of their personal belongings while some female students were allegedly sexually molested.
During the raid, it was reliably gathered that some students were shot.
In a related development, Imo state Police Command on Tuesday said it has arrested 18 suspects in connection with the killing of two police officers at Ahiara junction in Ahiazu Mbaise council area of Imo State, last Monday.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye,unveiled in Owerri.
According to the command, “The Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has deployed the Command’s Special Tactical squad and equipped them with the necessary operational assets to go all out in collaboration with the Military and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack and killing of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ahiazu Mbaise and an Inspector of Police on 27/11/2023, at BOEK Petroleum Filling Station, Ahiara Junction, in Ahaizu Mbaise LGA of Imo State.
“The Policemen affected by this senseless act of violence were fueling their operational vehicle at the said Filling Station when hoodlums suspected to be members of the Proscribed IPOB/ ESN, dressed in military camouflage and black/red regalia, swooped on them with three vehicles and motorcycles and started firing sporadically.
“The Police Operatives fought gallantly but unfortunately, the DPO and an Inspector of Police paid the supreme price in the gun duel that ensued while two Police officers survived the attack.
“Police Operatives led by CP Aboki Danjuma on a confidence-building patrol in Ahaizu Mbaise responded immediately and gave the hoodlums a hot chase which forced them to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries abandoning some of their operational motorcycles.
“The Operatives were swiftly reinforced by the Military led by the Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze. Intense combing of the area is ongoing.”
The command revealed that “A total of 18 suspects have been arrested and are currently undergoing investigation.
“CP Danjuma extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the deceased officers and prays that the Almighty God grant them the fortitude to bear the sudden and irreplaceable loss.
“He vowed that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The Commissioner of Police while appreciating the concerns of the general public, calls on them to assist the Police with useful information that may lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
The CP reiterates the Command’s commitment to collaborating with other sister security agencies in providing adequate security for all and sundry in Imo State and beckons Imolites, in particular residents of Ahaizu Mbaise to report any person seen with or treating gunshot injuries within their vicinity via the following emergency lines 08034773600 or 08098880197.”
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