The Nigeria police force, Oyo state Command has paraded forty seven suspected criminals including two alleged notorious kidnappers along Oke Ogun axis.
The suspects who were arrested for various offenses ranging from kidnapping, robbery, rape, hijacking and other criminal act were paraded at the police headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan by the police public relations officer in Oyo state, Mr Olawale Osifeso.
The police spokesman said two suspected armed robbery cum kidnapping syndicate who were reportedly armed with sophisticated firearms, cutlasses allegedly invaded a Herder Camp at SEPETERI area of Oyo State.
He explained that the armed gunmen who were allegedly identified by the victims as Herders fired gunshots sporadically into the air and thereafter attacked the victims, dispossessing them of mobile phones, huge sums of money and some other valuable items at GUN POINT.
Mr Osifeso noted that the suspects then proceeded to abduct victims and whisked them away to unknown locations where they contacted their family members to demand for ransom in the sum of Fifty Million Naira.
He said In furtherance of the payment, the command’s operational, technical and intelligence assets were swiftly activated with the assistance of local vigilance groups in the community in a manhunt and two members of the armed robbery cum kidnapping syndicate were apprehended.
The suspects FARUQ USMAN and ALIU BABANGIDA were arrested in connection with the crime with A cash sum of Two Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand Naira which was received by them as their share from the ransom paid by the relatives of the victim was also recovered.
He said the suspects confessed to the crime and series of similar armed robbery cum kidnapping attacks they had masterminded at various locations in Oyo State.
Other paraded suspects confessed to the crime leveled against them and pleaded for leniency.
Parading the suspects, the police spokesman, Mr Adewale Osifeso said the command has been working assiduously to immediately evaluate and redesign the current security architecture to enable them cater comprehensively to both evolving and emerging security concerns in Oyo state.
Mr Osifeso stated further that in a bid to sustain the present tempo of relative tranquility, the Command has strategically improved on its engagement and feedback mechanism with key security stakeholders of the Command.
“inclusive of civil liberties organization, market forces, student groups, trado-religious institutions and the Police Community Relations Committee about the best course for the actualization of a safer and more peaceful Oyo State”
“I commend the valiant and courageous officers and men of the Command who have demonstrated professionalism and dedication at statutorily upholding the constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property without prejudice to background, orientation, philosophy or religion.
He implored Parents, Guardians and leaders in diverse spheres of influence to prevail on their children, wards and followers against towing the pathways of self-destruction, chaos and anarchy as it directly stalls their progress and personal growth.
“While appreciating the members of the fourth estate of the realm for their continued support for the Command. I also want to use this medium to appeal to them as one that has great respect for the profession to address the disturbing rising surge of Fake News by agents of mischief.”
“Furthermore, the crusade against crime and criminality is in full effect and I assure the good people of the State that the Command under my watch shall not tolerate the existence of any criminal enterprise. “
Mr Osifeso added that the suspects would soon be charge to court after proper investigations.
