Police Arrest 10 Suspected Robbers After Violent Attack in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested ten suspected armed robbers linked to a violent attack on Igoba, a community in Akure North Local Government Area of the state. The suspects were apprehended following a coordinated police operation that trailed the gang after they reportedly invaded the community late Thursday night.

Residents said the armed group stormed the area around 11:30 p.m., shooting sporadically and inflicting injuries on some people. Several homes were broken into during the attack, and valuables were stolen before the police intervention restored calm to the area.

Amid the chaos, the traditional ruler of Igoba, Oba John Adinlewa, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when the assailants allegedly invaded his palace. The attack, which left parts of the palace damaged, sparked panic across the community, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes until security operatives arrived.

Police authorities in the state confirmed that the prompt response of their tactical team led to the arrest of the ten suspects, all believed to be members of the gang that terrorized the area.

Swift Police Response Thwarts Further Damage

Following a distress call from residents, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, immediately deployed operational units, including the tactical squad, to the community. The team, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, was said to have cordoned off the area and begun a search that led to the arrest of the suspects within hours.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the attackers were armed with locally fabricated pistols, a single-barrel gun, live ammunition, knives, machetes, and charms. Security operatives also recovered some of the stolen items from the suspects during the operation.

Police sources said that the coordinated effort of the force helped prevent further harm to residents and averted what could have been a more deadly assault on the community. The suspects, who were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure, are currently assisting investigators with information about their operations and potential accomplices.

Authorities disclosed that each of the arrested individuals had confessed to participating in various stages of the robbery, including surveillance, assault, and looting. The police further assured that they would be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded.

Community Demands Stronger Security Measures

The Igoba attack has reignited conversations around community safety in parts of Ondo State, where similar incidents have been reported in recent months. Residents and local leaders have repeatedly called for increased police presence and surveillance in rural and semi-urban areas prone to violent crimes.

Community members expressed fear that criminal gangs appear to be targeting royal institutions and local leaders, noting that the recent attempt on the life of their monarch was a direct assault on traditional authority.

In response, the police command has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and ensuring that all communities in the state remain secure. Officers have since intensified patrols in Akure North and surrounding local governments to deter future attacks.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State government has been urged to strengthen collaboration between community vigilantes and security agencies to close intelligence gaps and improve early response to distress calls.

As investigations continue, police have called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly. The arrest of the ten suspects, authorities say, marks a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.

With the attackers now in custody and peace gradually returning to Igoba, attention has turned to ensuring justice for the victims and preventing similar assaults in the future. The case serves as another reminder of the persistent security challenges facing rural communities, and the need for sustained, proactive measures to protect lives and property across Ondo State.