By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command has once again reiterated its commitment to flushing out criminal elements within the state and maintaining the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed by residents, as it paraded suspects arrested for various crimes across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Eribo, while hosting journalists at the Police Headquarters, Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, said intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts, constant bush-combing operations, and visibility policing aided the command in achieving success in the arrest of the suspects.
CP Eribo stated that the Command under his watch would continue to prioritise the safety of lives and property of the people of the state while warning criminal elements to turn a new leaf, steer clear, or risk facing the full wrath of the law.
Recounting the events that led to the arrests, Eribo said that on 14/09/2025 at about 15:30hrs, operatives of the Command Rapid Response Squad (RRS) embarked on intelligence-led surveillance within Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
During the operation, two suspects, one Bolaji Kazeem and Isa Sikirulahi, were intercepted while riding a TVS NEO motorcycle at Isato Area of Ado-Ekiti. Upon searching them, a locally made pistol loaded with a live cartridge and a battle axe were found in their possession. In the course of investigation, the two suspects confessed that they specialise in stealing vehicles and motorcycles, especially within Ado-Ekiti metropolis.
“They further confessed that they recently stole two Toyota Camry vehicles within Ado-Ekiti and that they have sold them to a dealer who is currently at large,” Eribo said.
Intensive investigation also led to the recovery of another stolen TVS NEO motorcycle in their hideout at Omisanjana Area of Ado-Ekiti, while efforts are in progress for the possible arrest and prosecution of the receivers of the stolen vehicles and the recovery of the stolen items.
Also, on 25/09/2025 at about 17:00hrs, one Abolaji Rasheed a.k.a B.J, a resident of Owena, Osun State, was arrested while attempting to steal a motorcycle along Igbara-Odo Road, Ogotun-Ekiti, alongside his gang members who narrowly escaped from the scene.
In the course of investigation, the arrested suspect confessed that he and his syndicate member, who escaped during the arrest, specialise in removing motorcycles from where they are parked within Ekiti State. He further confessed that they have stolen four motorcycles recently, which have all been sold to their customers in Osun State.
However, one unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle that was ridden to the scene by the suspects was recovered.
The CP explained that efforts are ongoing for the possible arrest of the fleeing suspect, the receivers, and the recovery of the stolen motorcycles.
On 11/09/2025 at about 08:00hrs, a complainant reported at Ado Central Police Headquarters that his DYNA 150 Toyota Cabster vehicle, which he parked the previous day inside Tipper Garage, Ijiku-Ijigbo, Ado-Ekiti, had been stolen by unknown persons.
Command operatives at different pin-down points and on surveillance were immediately alerted, leading to the arrest of two suspects, namely: Mohammed Jamiu and Ahmed, who were intercepted in the stolen vehicle while trying to drive it out of Ado-Ekiti.
During investigation, the suspects confessed to have stolen the vehicle and were on their way to deliver it to their master, who is currently at large. Efforts are ongoing for the possible arrest of the said master and the recovery of other stolen vehicles and items, he said.
In another development, the Aramoko Divisional Police Headquarters, on 25/09/2025, arrested one Ajetomobi Ayomide, aged 22, for defiling an eight-year-old child on several occasions and threatening to kill her if she exposed the act.
It was revealed that the father of the victim reported on 24/09/2025 at about 21:50hrs that his daughter disclosed to him that sometime in December 2024, while he and his wife were away from home, the suspect, who was an apprentice in his shop, took her inside and had carnal knowledge of her.
The mother of the victim also revealed that since last December, she noticed blood coming out of her daughter’s private part, not knowing that someone had forcefully had sexual intercourse with her. She stated that they had been visiting hospitals for medical treatments since then.
During investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime and stated that he only had carnal knowledge of the victim four times. The case is currently being investigated by the Gender Unit of the State CID, after which the suspect will be charged to court, the CP stated.
Similarly, on 22/09/2025, the Iworoko Divisional Police Headquarters arrested one Prophet Ajayi Oluwatoyin, aged 40, for raping a 20-year-old 100-level student of Ekiti State University.
The victim explained that she and her friends had been attending the Prophet’s church for prayers to gain favour and succeed in life. She stated that on the day of the incident, she went to the Prophet alone, and after giving her a liquid substance to drink, she felt dizzy and slept off.
According to her, she woke up after some time only to discover that she had been raped by the Prophet, as there was a white substance suspected to be sperm inside and around her private part. During investigation, the suspect did not deny committing the crime.
The case has been transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID for thorough investigation and prosecution of the suspect.
Eribo promised that all the suspects arrested would be arraigned accordingly.
CP Eribo also used the opportunity to warn officers, especially those in the RRS Command and other tactical units, to desist from acts that could bring them into disrepute.
He particularly frowned at reports accusing police officers of the notorious habit of checking phones and encouraged officers to be firm and civil in their duties.
He, however, warned that any erring officer found wanting would face the full weight of the law.