Police Smash Armed Gang In Osun, Recover Guns, Cars, Motorcycles

The Osun State Police Command has dismantled a notorious multi-armed criminal gang operating in parts of the state, arresting ten suspects and recovering firearms, vehicles and motorcycles.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this yesterday at the command headquarters, Ring Road, Osogbo, while briefing reporters on the ongoing clampdown on cultism and violent crimes.

He recalled that the command had, on October 24, paraded 12 suspected cultists, adding that the latest arrests demonstrate the command’s resolve to rid the state of criminal networks.

Gotan said operatives of the Rapid Response Unit stormed Minneapolis Lounge at Moro, Ife North Local Government Area, near Foreign Link Campus, around 12:45a.m. on October 25, after receiving a distress report that armed men were shooting sporadically and causing panic.

The lounge, according to him, had become a suspected rendezvous for criminal planning.

“On sighting our men, the suspects opened fire. Our operatives responded decisively and repelled the attack without any casualty. Ten suspects were arrested,” he said.

Those arrested are: Adebayo Olalekan (27), Hammed Abdullah (47), Olajide Opeyemi (34), Olushola Samson (24), Salako Opeyemi (20), Majekodunmi Shefiu (32), Ganiyu Yusuf (24), Ridwan Temitope (25), Taofeek Yusuf (25) and Babafemi Adelowo (28).

Recovered items include two English pump-action guns, two locally made pistols, one single-barrel gun, 15 live cartridges, several empty shells, three Lexus vehicles, two Toyota Camry cars and 10 motorcycles. The owner and the supervisor of the lounge are on the run, the commissioner added.

Gotan further announced that operatives of the Anti-Thuggery Unit, on routine patrol in Osogbo metropolis the same day, arrested 22-year-old Lekan Jamiu.

Recovered from him were a cut-to-size pistol, four live cartridges, 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition, quantities of suspected cannabis and assorted charms.

“All suspects are in custody. They are assisting investigations. They will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Gotan assured.