The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended three suspected members of an interstate armed robbery syndicate allegedly linked to a series of violent robberies in both Ondo and Lagos states.

The command also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol and other weapons.

It also also arrested seven suspects in connection with a violent land dispute in Kajola, near Ore, which escalated into a bloody confrontation.

Parading the suspects on Monday in Akure, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, said the robbery suspects were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation.

Ohagwu identified the suspects as Promise Daniel (34), Ifeanyi Umahi (29) and Adaramoye Abayomi (37).

He explained that the arrests followed investigations into an armed robbery case reported on June 14, 2026, at Iju Division, Ita-Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area.

According to him, police operatives, acting on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, intercepted the suspects on July 18 while travelling in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz ML 350 SUV.

He said a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition, an English-made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition, a UTC axe and an iron cutter.

The police commissioner further added that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belonged to a notorious armed robbery syndicate already on the command’s watchlist for alleged involvement in violent robberies across Ondo State.

He explained that the suspects had made useful confessional statements, which were assisting investigators in tracking other members of the gang and uncovering the full scope of their operations.

Meanwhile, Ohagwu said the command also foiled what could have become a deadly clash arising from a land dispute at Adegbiji, via Kajola, in Ore.

He said the incident occurred on July 18 at about 9:30 a.m. and involved two parties, Akinsulu Titus and Ajani Abiodun, who are currently before a High Court in Ore over ownership of the disputed land.

According to him, both parties allegedly arrived at the farmland with supporters, including commercial motorcycle riders and three persons suspected to be soldiers, who are now at large.

He said the disagreement, which allegedly stemmed from the destruction of palm trees and other economic crops, degenerated into violence, leaving the two principal parties injured.

The police commissioner said operatives swiftly restored normalcy and recovered a yellow bag containing two locally made guns, two cutlasses, a bag of suspected charms, a rubber container labelled ‘Acid’ containing liquid, and other dangerous weapons.

He disclosed that seven suspects had been arrested, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

“The case has been transferred to the Command Surveillance Squad in Akure for further investigation,” Ohagwu said.

Ohagwu warned individuals involved in civil disputes, particularly land matters already before the courts, against taking the law into their own hands.

He, however, assured residents that thorough investigations would be carried out into both cases and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. (The Nation)

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