Four suspects who allegedly robbed one Alhaji Yahaya Ishaku of Ahun Fulani in Kwara of N600, 000 have been arrested by the police.
This is contained in a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Ajayi Okasanmi.
He said the police collaborated with Oro-Ogo branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to arrest the suspects on Aug. 22.
”A team of policemen and members of Miyetti Allah of Oro-Ago in a combined operation went in search of a gang of armed robbers, whose stock-in-trade was mainly robbing unsuspecting citizens in the area of their money and goods on market days,” the statement reads.
”The operation became necessary after intelligence compass pointed to the fact that the perpetrators were hibernating in a Fulani camp in Oro-Ago.”
Okasanmi said Ishaku was way-laid and robbed of the proceeds of cows he sold for N600,000 while returning home from Kara market in Ajase-Ipo on Aug. 20.
He added that preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects was hired by the complainant to load the cows in a vehicle while being taken to the market.
”On his way back from the market, the victim who was on a bike returning to the camp was blocked by the gang, they hit him on the head with sticks, he fell off the motorcycle and became unconscious.
”He was searched by the assailants and the N600,000, the proceeds of the sales found on him were taken away.
”In the course of the investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime and the sum of N400,000, part of the stolen money was recovered, while efforts are in progress to recover the balance,” Okasanmi said.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo had directed that the case be handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department.
”The CP reiterated his earlier stand that Kwara would be made uncomfortable and tough for criminal elements, hence, all would-be lawbreakers are advised to pack their loads and leave Kwara for the law-abiding citizens and residents.
”He further advised employers of labour to always do a background check on any helping hands they intend to employ to avoid incidents of the nature reported above.”