Stop Moving Around With Unregistered Vehicles, Police Warn Residents

THE Osun State Police Command has called on residents of the state to desist from moving around with vehicles and motorcycles that are not registered. 

Spokesperson of the command, Yemisi Opalola, made the call while parading a 10-man suspected armed robbery gang in Osogbo, on Tuesday. 

The suspects are: Aluko Bola (42), Ismaila Olaitan (38), Taiwo Kabiru (33), Adeyemi Monsuru (43), Azeez Isiaka (40), Adekunle Adeniyi (26), Olajide Oladapo (39), Samson Basiru (28), Olalekan Ajofofiyabo (45), and Adesumbola Afeez (35).

Opalola disclosed that the gang specialised in robbing unsuspecting members of the public of their vehicles, adding that the police always found it difficult to retrieve the stolen vehicles when they are not registered. 

She said: “Residents should stop moving around with vehicles and motorcycles that are not registered because it is usually difficult for us to get them back whenever they are stolen.

“When they are not registered, it is difficult to trace them. Before we could recover these vehicles, we went through a lot of stress.”

Speaking on how the gang members were arrested, Opalola said a resident of the state whose car was forcefully hijacked reported the case at the station, leading the police to swing into action. 

She added that One Red Toyota Camry Spider and One Black Toyota Corolla car were recovered from the gang at different locations in Ondo and Ibadan.

Opalola added: “On the 16th August, 2023 at about 9:00 am, the complainant from Powerline Area, llesa, Osun State reported that he was attacked and robbed at Tinumola Estate, where he went to procure drugs for his sick daughter by a group of armed men. 

“His Toyota Camry XLE with Reg. No. RLG 227 GS, Gold Colour valued at N2,500,000.00k and the cash sum of 83,000.00k and other valuables were forcefully taken away from him.

“Also, on the 24th August, 2023 at about 9:30 pm, the same gang attacked and robbed at gunpoint another victim from Osunjela, Osogbo at his wife’s shop along Ring Road area with his Brown coloured Toyota Camry Saloon Car with Reg. No. JJJ 196 FA valued one million, one hundred thousand naira only and photographic cameras and other valuables were taken away. 

“Suspects confessed to have committed the crime. However, one red Toyota Camry Spider and black Toyota Corolla both unregistered reasonably suspected to be stolen were recovered from the gang at different locations in Ondo town and lbadan respectively.”

The PPRO said the suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

She appealed to citizens to help the police by giving prompt and credible information.