Police foil robbery in Ado-Ekiti, shoot suspect, recover stolen valuables worth over ₦3.6m
By Zagazola Makama
Police operatives in Ekiti State have foiled a robbery operation in Ado-Ekiti after engaging a gang of armed robbers in a gun battle, leaving one suspect with gunshot injuries while others escaped.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 3:42 a.m. on July 24, following a distress call reporting that armed robbers were attacking houses at Elemi Housing Estate and Joy Highland Avenue along the Ado–Afao Road.
Acting on the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oke-Ila Division led a team of policemen to the scene.
According to the sources, the robbers opened fire on sighting the police, prompting officers to return fire. During the exchange, one of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds and collapsed, while other members of the gang fled, abandoning several stolen items and a locally made barrel gun.
Investigations revealed that the gang had overpowered and tied up a private security guard, Samuel, 31, attached to the residence of Hon. Femi Fatunla, before forcefully taking away his locally made barrel gun, which was later used during the robbery.
Preliminary investigations further identified Ojo David, a former security guard at the residence, as the alleged mastermind of the operation, while another suspect identified simply as Tosin was said to be the leader of the gang.
The injured suspect, identified as Tosin, was taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, for medical treatment under police watch.
Police said the robbers stole several valuables, including an iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12, Infinix phone, Redmi phone, two power banks, a laptop, an iPad, wristwatches and assorted jewellery, valued at about ₦3.38 million, from the residence of Hon. Fatunla.
The gang also robbed another victim, Ife Udoh, 26, of her mobile phone valued at ₦230,000.
Following the operation, police recovered the locally made barrel gun with serial number HQ 07 belonging to the Civilian Agbekoya Security outfit, as well as a mobile phone belonging to Deborah Langtan, 20, and the Redmi phone belonging to the security guard.
Police sources said the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) has commenced a full investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the robbery gang.
