Residents of Olomore, Soyoye and Ogun radio areas of Abeokuta have heaved a sigh of relief, following the arrest of a member of a four-man armed robbery gang and Eiye Confraternity cult terrorising the community.

The Guardian learnt that the gang specialised in dispossessing unsuspecting road users of their belongings, house breaking and armed robbery.

According to police source, the suspect, Damilare Olamilekan, 30, was arrested by Lafenwa Police Division led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Kayode Shedrack, after several failed attempts, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, through the aid of a tracking device and relying on previous forensic evidences.

On detailed interrogation, Olamilekan confessed that he and his other gang members, reportedly still at large, were involved in heinous crimes within Olomore, Soyoye and Ogun radio areas of Abeokuta.

He stated that they arm themselves with cutlasses, knives and stones, which they use to threaten their victims, scaring them into nervous breakdown and adrenal hysteria before disposing them of their valuables, such as phones, laptops, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and monies.

Confirming the arrest, yesterday, spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP), Omolola Odutola, said the suspect has made confessional statements implicating other three members of the armed robbery gang, who are now at large.

According to her, the suspect admitted that he is an active member of Eiye Confraternity and led the Divisional Police Officer to the location where their gang’s operational weapons were kept around WAPCO area, Abeokuta, which have since been recovered to the police station.

She stressed that preliminary investigation is currently ongoing while recoveries of stolen items found in his possession during a search conducted in his residence have been marked as exhibits and recovered to the police station.

Omolara reassured residents of the commitment of the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Olanrewaju Yomi Oladimeji, to zero tolerance for cultism and armed robbery.

She said: “The Area Commander in charge of the area has directed a manhunt for the remaining suspects to be arrested. The Command is urging criminals, especially cultist and armed robbers that they will be caught and made to answer for their criminal acts.

“Every DPO under the Commissioner of Police has been charged to be vigilant and combat efficient.

“The CP is also calling on the good people of Ogun to support the police by volunteering anonymous information and reporting anyone they know who engages in crime, because criminals hobnob among them.” (The Guardian)

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