The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a gang involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and ritual practices at Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Olayinka Ayanlade, the spokesman for the police command, disclosed the arrest of the suspects in a statement issued to journalists in Akure on Monday.

Ayanlade said that the suspects, led by one Ifeoluwa Julius, had long been on the command’s watch list for alleged involvement in violent crimes in the area.

He revealed that operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit tracked the suspects to the outskirts of Ogbese following intelligence that they had returned from a location where they allegedly procured charms to fortify themselves for future attacks.

According to him, the coordinated operation led to the arrest of Julius and three members of his gang.

Ayanlade said the items recovered from the ringleader included an expended cartridge, fetish materials, and blood-stained red and white cloth.

He added that during interrogation, Julius allegedly confessed to being a ritualist and admitted, along with his gang members, to involvement in several kidnapping incidents in the Ogbese area.

He also confirmed that he and his gang had travelled to obtain more charms to bolster their criminal activities.

Ayanlade, however, added that the suspects would be charged in court following the completion of investigations. (THE NATION)