By Aminat Gusanu
The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of 31 individuals believed to be involved in various criminal activities, with a particular focus on a gang known for using sedatives to rob commercial motorcyclists of their bikes.
In a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, it was revealed that the suspects are facing charges related to armed robbery, theft, and unlawful society membership, among other offenses.
Opalola revealed that operatives from the command arrested Idowu Olaide, Abubakar Bello, Abubakar Usman, and Mustapha Yinusa, who were members of a Lagos-based syndicate that specializes in snatching motorcycles from unsuspecting commercial motorcycle operators in Osun after sedating them.
She said, “On September 14, 2023, at about 5:45 pm, a commercial motorcyclist reported a case of a stolen motorcycle at ‘B’ Division Ede and stated that on September 11, 2023, two unknown men employed his services as a bike rider.
During the ride, he was offered a can of Maltina soft drink, which he accepted and drank. Subsequently, he fell asleep and was dispossessed of his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with Registration No. AAW 751 QF.
The case was later transferred to the Anti-Vice Intelligence Squad in Osogbo. Upon receiving the case, Abubakar Usman and Abubakar Bello were arrested, and they confessed to being members of a syndicate that comes from Lagos State to snatch motorcycles from motorcycle riders by drugging them.
Useful information from the suspects led to an extension of the investigation to Lagos State, where Mustapha Yinusa was also arrested.
He confessed to being a member of the syndicate. Additionally, five out of the stolen motorcycles were recovered in Lagos State as exhibits.”
Opalola also stated that 13 suspects were arrested for belonging to an unlawful society.
They were apprehended in Iresi town after the police, acting on a tip-off, stormed their hideout.
Members of a gang of 10 suspected robbers were also arrested. They had attacked a resident of Ilesa, snatching a vehicle and other valuables from him.
The gang was also accused of attacking a resident of Osunjela, during which they snatched a vehicle and took away other valuables and money.
The police spokesperson further explained that suspects linked to the crime were arrested at different locations in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Akure, Ondo State, and the investigation into the activities of the gang is still ongoing.
According to her, Daniel Sunday, Timothy Moses, and Odebunmi Bukola were also arrested following a petition to the police by a mobile phone dealer based in Osogbo.
The dealer alleged that her shop was burglarized by thieves, during which they stole items valued at N4,655,000 and a cash sum of N200,000.
She admonished residents of the state to refrain from traveling in unregistered vehicles and urged them to volunteer timely information that could help prevent crime.
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