The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected armed robbers linked to a burglary syndicate operating in Idanre and surrounding communities, recovering two illegal firearms during the operation.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led investigation into the burglary of a cocoa store in Alade-Idanre, where a bag of cocoa valued at ₦1.25 million was stolen.
According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Friday, the investigation began after a report was lodged at the Alade/Atosin Police Station on June 15, 2026, by the owner of the cocoa store, identified simply as Abayomi.
Abayomi reported that unknown persons had broken into his warehouse during the night and made away with the produce.
Police identified the suspects as Alex Omotayo, Adeleye Bolu, Osho Ibukun and Nura Umar, along with other accomplices who remain at large.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives arrested the four suspects and commenced further investigations into the activities of the alleged criminal gang.
During the investigation, police said they uncovered information linking the principal suspect, Alex Omotayo, to an earlier incident at Idanre High School on March 13, 2026, where he allegedly stormed the school premises armed with two firearms and threatened to kill a security guard whom he accused of shooting at him the previous night.
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The development prompted detectives to obtain and execute a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.
The search led to the recovery of a cut-to-size single-barrel firearm and a locally made revolver concealed within the premises.
The recovered weapons have been taken into police custody as exhibits.
The case has since been transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Ondo State Police Command in Akure for further investigation and efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, urged residents, particularly farmers, traders and business owners, to strengthen security around their homes, farms, warehouses and storage facilities, especially at night.
He warned individuals involved in criminal activities to desist, stressing that intelligence-led operations would continue across the state to identify, arrest and prosecute offenders.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, while calling on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The Police said community cooperation remains essential to sustaining efforts aimed at keeping Ondo State safe and secure.