•Police smash robbery syndicate, recover stolen trucks in Jigawa
An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), simply identified as Jide, has been shot dead by suspected drug peddlers in Ondo State.
The officer attached to the Ondo Command of the NDLEA was killed during a raid on an apartment in Ita’nla, Ondo town yesterday.
A source, who confirmed the incident to our reporter, said the team of the NDLEA came under gunfire when they stormed the building to recover the drugs stored in the ceiling of the apartment.
“I guess the team got a tip that some drugs were stored in the residential building at Ita’nla in Ondo. So, the officials came very early in a sting operation to bust the building.
“Immediately they came in, some of them entered into the building to recover the exhibits while Officer Jide stood outside mounting the sentry guard. Suspected gunmen came from nowhere and opened fire on him and was shot in the neck.
“The officer was immediately rushed to the hospital, but the doctors on duty confirmed him dead on arrival. It is a very sad development,” he said.
But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.
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He said four suspects had already been arrested in connection with the crime, adding that a single barrel gun had been recovered.
“Immediately it happened, we reinforced some of our officers down to the scene. We have been able to arrest four prime suspects who are in our custody.
“We have also recovered a single barrel gun, and investigation is also going in collaboration with the NDLEA to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly attack and killing to book,” Ayanlade further said.
Also, the Ondo State Police Command has smashed a robbery syndicate operating across several states and recovered a stolen white DAF truck during an attack on a business premises in Akure.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the Police Command, Ayanlade Olayinka, said five suspects were arrested in Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto states, following an investigation by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
He explained that the suspects were linked to the February 8, 2023, invasion of Dollar Boys Global Investment, at Okuta, Elerinla in Akure.
According to Olayinka, the gang stormed the premises around 1 a.m., assaulted security guards, and fled with the DAF truck, marked T94121 with chassis number XLRTE85COF572200.
He noted that the police swung into action after a petition was filed by the truck owner to the Ondo State Commissioner of Police on May 23, this year.
“The vehicle was traced to Brinni Kudi in Jigawa State, where one suspect was apprehended. Further operations led to the arrest of two others in Rimi Gado and Shanono local government areas of Kano State.
“The operation was later extended to Sokoto State, where two additional suspects were arrested at Dogodaji House, and the stolen truck was recovered. It was discovered that the gang had altered the truck’s identification details in an attempt to evade detection but were eventually tracked down by investigators,” he said.
While commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal warned that criminals would be hunted down no matter where they hide.
He, however, assured the residents of the command’s readiness to protect lives and property, urging the public to provide credible information to the police.
