The Osun State Police Command on Monday paraded some suspects arrested for various crimes across the state, with the warning that criminal activities would not be tolerated in any part of the state.
Parading the suspects before journalists, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor, said the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from armed robbery to cultism and conspiracy.
Giving details of the offences committed by the suspects, the police boss said a gang of eight armed robbers equipped with weapons attacked a family in Erin-Ijesa and stole a Toyota Highlander Jeep, electronics, eight bags of dry cocoa beans and personal items of the victims.
She added that two suspects, Seyi Ojo and Kamorudeen Quadri, were arrested in connection with the crime which led to the arrest of six other suspects.
Also paraded were Adejumo Boluwatife, Adisa Lateef, Gbolahan Oladipupo and Adeagbo Musibau, for being members of an unlawful society terrorising the residents of Idi-Omo, Osogbo, the state capital.
Okafor also paraded one Temitope Oke, Wasiu Hammed, Olamilekan Yusuff and Julius Wuraola, who were part of a four-member inter-state vehicle theft gang, who usually disguised as automobile mechanics to steal vehicles.
“On February 7, 2024, at about 1 a.m., a team of anti-kidnapping operatives upon receiving credible intelligence, intercepted a four-man gang of suspected car theft syndicate along Osunjela Ilesha Road, en route Kabba, Kogi State to sell stolen cars.
“Preliminary interrogation revealed that they operated under the guise of being gear mechanics and subsequently stole their unsuspecting customers’ cars. The cars recovered include one 2014 Toyota Camry, white in colour with registration number LSR 935 JC Lagos; one 2010 Toyota Camry, red in colour unregistered; one 2005 Honda Accord gold colour with registration number FST 917 BF Lagos and one 2010 Toyota Camry black colour,” she said.
Assuring that the suspects would be arraigned before the court upon completion of investigations into their various, crimes, Okafor, however, lamented the closure of courts due to the industrial action by the members of the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria in the state.
She noted that the strike was having negative effects on policing activities, noting that suspects who could not be released on bail have been held without trial and called for resolution of issues that caused the strike.
She said, “I hope you all know that Osun State Police Command has nothing to do with the situation (court closure). Actually, we are feeling the brunt. We are because we have some suspects whose allegations are bordering on capital offenses and you all know that we have no power to grant bail.
“So you can imagine the effect that has. I want to urge the government of Osun State to do everything to expedite action in resolving that impasse because we are greatly affected.”