The Police in Ondo state have paraded seventeen suspected criminals arrested across the state within one week. 

According to the police, among them were two members of a gang of suspected kidnappers and armed robbers who attacked passengers along Ore–Lagos expressway last week Monday and dispossessed them of valuable goods. 

Police said the gang also attempted to kidnap some of the passengers before policemen from Igbotako division in Okitipupa area of the state arrived the scene. The robbers, it was learnt had blocked the expressway that fateful day at about 7:50am and forced the passengers out of their vehicles at gun point before robbing them of valuable goods and cash.

The robbers, it was learnt had blocked the expressway that fateful day at about 7:50am and forced the passengers out of their vehicles at gun point before robbing them of valuable goods and cash. 

The operation which also saw some passengers fleeing into the bush was said to have lasted for almost an hour. 

One of the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Usman, a 19-year-old who claimed to be from Bagudu in Kebbi state was arrested. Usman later told the police that they have a strong gang headed by one Abdullahi. 

He also named some of the gang members as Umoru, Mohammed and Ibrahim from Kwara state. 

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, said the seventeen suspects were arrested for various crimes in the state. 

In a related development, two other suspects, Tunde Akinwumi (20) and Tunde Akinboyewa (25) were arrested for raping a teenager simply identified as Joy (18) and a minor who were rescued by a Good Samaritan, the police said. 

The Police boss said efforts were on to apprehend the other suspects still at large, stressing that the arrested culprits would be charged to court at the conclusion of their investigation. 

Daily Trust