Segun Atanda/
A gang of armed robbers raiding churches in Ogun State have been smashed by the police.
According to Ogun State police spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, detectives have tracked down four suspects after a series of raids in churches and other places of worship around Awa Ijebu and its environs.
Oyeyemi identified the suspects as 43-year-old Akinniyi Moses aka Conjour, Ogunfowoke Kayode, 23; Michael Idogun aka Head Boy, 35, and Izunna Odah, 29.
He said that they were arrested following several complaints from different churches they had raided at different times.
A statement signed by Oyeyemi reads in part: “On getting the report, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Ahmed Iliyasu mandated the DPO Awa Ijebu Division to go after the hoodlums and bring them to justice within the shortest possible time. In compliance with the CP’s directive, the DPO SP Olu Monday detailed his detectives to embark on intelligence based investigation in order to unravel those behind the sacrilegious act.
“Their efforts paid off when on a tip-off the four suspects were apprehended.
“On interrogation, they confessed to being responsible for attacks on churches in the area. Among the churches they confessed that they had robbed are Methodist Church, Oru Ijebu; Love of Epistles Church, Ago Iwoye, and a building at Ajebo in Oru Ijebu.”
Items allegedly recovered from the gang included a double barrel locally made pistol, 17.62mm live ammunition, five DBSG live cartridges, six GSM handsets, three ox fans, one big speaker, two VSO identity cards, one plasma TV, two gas cylinders, one bulletproof vest, five stabilizers, one church bell, two pistol holders and one jack-knife.
“All the items have been identified by their owners,” Oyeyemi said.
Meanwhile, the CP has ordered that the suspects be transferred to FSARS for discreet investigation.
He also warned that the command would not rest on its oars in its efforts to make Ogun State a crime-free state.
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