Ondo police arrest a notorious arms dealer accused of supplying weapons to gangs across five states.
The operation also netted three others after a violent robbery led investigators to the suspects.
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a notorious arms dealer and local weapons manufacturer accused of supplying firearms to criminal gangs operating across Ondo, Osun, Kogi, Edo and Kwara states.
The main suspect, along with three others long wanted by the police, was apprehended in a coordinated operation.
Police spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade said in a statement on Thursday, September 25, 2025, that the arrest marked a major breakthrough in the fight against violent crime in the South-West region. He explained that the suspect’s activities extended beyond Ondo State, fueling armed robbery and other violent crimes in neighboring states.
According to the statement, four suspects connected to the case have already been charged with armed robbery and attempted murder, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend remaining members of the syndicate.
The arrests followed a violent robbery in Irele town, during which a woman was shot in the leg and her motorcycle, ₦250,000 and other belongings were taken. Prompt police action in Irele and Ore led to the capture of the suspects, including the alleged gunrunner.
Ayanlade reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and urged residents to continue providing credible information, assuring them it would be treated in strict confidence.
