Members of an armed robbery gang, who had been operating along the Osu-Ife axis on the expressway, have made shocking confessions after being apprehended by the Osun State Police Command. The suspects disclosed that they acquired the two guns used in their criminal operations from a woman known as Iya Bose, who was involved in the trade of alcoholic drinks and cigarettes.
The gang, consisting of Chibuzor Obinna (33), Igwe Chukwudi a.k.a Bishop (41), Ogbonna Destiny Monday (28), and Nwaze Eze (40), had a well-organized operation with the help of two motorcycle riders. These riders transported them to and from the spots where they committed their crimes.Olamilekan Samson, a.k.a Afuye (30), and Akinolu Kola (29), acted as accomplices by driving the armed robbery suspects to their designated targets and later picking them up after they had completed their nefarious acts.
The police spokesperson in Osun, SP Yemisi Opalola, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Kehinde Longe, at the briefing, revealed that the gang’s primary targets were motorists along the Osu-Ife highway, especially commercial vehicles carrying goods. Their mode of operation involved gathering at their pre-determined attack locations after being dropped off by the motorcycle riders.
Following an alert from a vigilant hunter who noticed their suspicious activities within a bushy area, the police, in collaboration with the hunter and a vigilante group, went after the suspects. This led to the suspects fleeing in different directions, with one of them, Monday, sustaining an injury during the chase.
After an extensive search, the police and vigilante eventually arrested Chibuzor Obinna, who was found in possession of the guns used in their operations. In response to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police directed the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) to take over the case, leading to the arrest of three other suspects involved in the recent robbery operation. Two of them, Chukwudi a.k.a Bishop and Nwaze Eze, were captured in their rooms, while the third suspect was found in an uncompleted building with a bullet wound on his thigh. The two motorcycle riders involved in their operations were also apprehended.
A search of their rooms uncovered stolen goods, including bags of costume jewelry valued at N5 million, intercepted from a bus en route to Kano. Additionally, two laptops, shoes, clothes, and over 20 phones were recovered from the gang members.
During interrogation, the suspects divulged that Iya Bose, the woman they used to buy alcoholic drinks and cigarettes from, was the one providing them with the borrowed guns used in their criminal activities. One member, known as Loco, is still at large, and the police are continuing their efforts to apprehend him.
The police have commended the collaboration with the vigilant hunter and the vigilante group, which led to the successful apprehension of the armed robbery gang and the recovery of stolen items. The suspects will face the full weight of the law as investigations into their criminal activities continue.
