The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 208 suspects for various criminal offences in the state within the past six weeks.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Akure and obtained by AFRIPOST, noting that the arrests were made under the watch of the Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Adebowale Lawal.
Olushola explained that the suspects were picked up for crimes ranging from kidnapping, murder, rape, and armed robbery to cultism, vehicle theft and fraudulent conversion of properties.
Ayanlade noted that out of the total arrests, 99 have already been arraigned in court while 35 convictions have been secured
He highlighted some of the major breakthroughs, including the swift arrest of all those involved in the killing of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, within 72 hours, and the capture of an okada rider working as an informant for kidnappers in the abduction of a staff member of the same institution.
The Command also recovered 25 firearms, including prohibited rifles and locally fabricated pistols, as well as 12 stolen vehicles.
“Other operations led to the arrest of an armed robbery gang in Ondo town, the capture of three suspected cross-border criminals and the rescue of 39 foreign nationals who were being unlawfully held.”
While acknowledging that some security breaches still exist, the police urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to supply actionable intelligence.
“The Ondo State Police Command remains resolute, committed, and determined to pursue criminals to their hideouts, bring them to justice, and safeguard the lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens,” Olushola said.