Operatives of Ogun State police command have arrested a herder, simply identified as Mohammed, with an AK 47 rifle.
The suspect was arrested on Tuesday, August 10, in a forest in Iwoye Ketu, Imeko Afon Local Government Area of the state.
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The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed this to journalists in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said the suspect is believed to be a member of a kidnap syndicate that had been terrorising the area.
He said the suspect was arrested following a tip-off by members of the community.
He said members of the community reported to the police at Imeko divisional police headquarters that they sighted two young Fulani boys at CAC Oha forest Iwoye Ketu in Imeko Afon local government area with AK 47 rifle.
Upon receiving the information, Oyeyemi said the police mobilised members of other security agencies, including local hunters, vigilantes and So Safe Corps and stormed the forest.
“After hours of combing the forest, one Mohammed was seen hiding in the bush with one AK 47 rifle and he was arrested.
“The arrested armed boy is strongly suspected to be a member of a kidnap syndicate that has been terrorising the area for quite some time now,” the PPRO said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.
The commissioner also directed that the entire forest be properly combed with the view of apprehending other members of his gang.
