The Ondo State Police Command has arrested Temitope Ajayi, a hotel staff member, for allegedly stealing a gold chain valued at N11 million from a guest in Akure.
Ajayi, who works at a well-known hotel in Alagbaka, reportedly committed the theft on June 22, 2025. He was among over 100 suspects apprehended in August for various crimes including murder, kidnapping, robbery, cultism, drug offenses, and theft.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, stating that Ajayi is currently in custody and cooperating with police to recover the stolen property.
In a separate case, Gbenga Segun Ojo was arrested for allegedly stealing a gold necklace worth N5,155,000 and selling it to Garuba Jubril for N3,084,000. Both men remain in custody.
Furthermore, an 87-year-old community leader, Chief Kogbona, was arrested for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to a robbery gang. His arrest followed the capture of three suspects—Adeife Adewumi, Matthew Johnson, and Diisu Sunday—who confessed to murdering a 25-year-old motorcyclist, Nwike Sabbat, in Ondo town and stealing his motorcycle. Police recovered two cut-to-size barrel guns, a live cartridge, an expended cartridge, and 10 live cartridges linked to Chief Kogbona.
The police also apprehended a suspected fraudster who reportedly scammed a victim out of N10 million under the pretense of selling scrap materials in Akure. The suspect confessed and implicated an accomplice based in Lagos. The command has since frozen the illicit funds and is pursuing the accomplice.
In another development, police in Ikare-Akoko arrested two suspected kidnappers, Mohammadu Usman (25) and Mohammed Idrisa (27), while neutralizing three others during an operation. The suspects confessed and were identified by their victim.
CP Lawal emphasized the command’s dedication to making Ondo State unsafe for criminals. “These arrests send a strong warning to fraudsters, robbers, and kidnappers that the Ondo State Police Command will not tolerate crime in any form. We remain resolute in safeguarding lives and property in the state,” he stated.
