The Osun State Police Command has arrested ten suspected cultists and members of a robbery gang following a gun duel at Moro, in Ife-North Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, apprehended at a lounge in the town, were identified as Adebayo Olalekan, 27; Hammed Abdullah, 47; Olajide Opeyemi, 34; Olushola Samson, 24; and Salako Opeyemi, 20. Others include Majekodunmi Shefiu, 32; Ganiyu Yusuf, 24; Ridwan Temitope, 25; Taofeek Yusuf, 25; and Babafemi Adelowo, 28.
Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan, in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Monday, said operatives of the Police Rapid Response Unit (PRU) acted on intelligence that the suspects were shooting sporadically at the lounge.
According to the statement, the gang opened fire on the responding officers, but the operatives subdued them after an exchange of gunfire.
“A search and mop-up operation was conducted at the scene, which led to the arrest of ten suspects and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, vehicles, and motorcycles. The supervisor and owner of the lounge are currently on the run,” the statement read.
Recovered exhibits include two English pump-action guns, two locally made pistols, a single-barrel gun, fifteen live cartridges, several empty shells, one unregistered Lexus RX 350, another Lexus RX 350 with registration number LND 392 JZ, a Lexus ES 330 with registration number EPE 313 JL, two unregistered Toyota Camry cars, and ten motorcycles.
The police commissioner said the suspects remain in custody and are undergoing further investigation.
