Masquerade, 4 others nabbed for armed robbery

By Gbenga Ariyibi Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State police command have apprehended  a 24-year-old man, Osalusi Sunday,who disguised in family’s masquerade, ‘Sinrinminyin  and four others  to partake in armed robbery operation in Ado Ekiti

According to the command’s image maker, Olu Victor Babayemi (ASP), who briefed the press at the command headquarters in Ado Ekiti yesterday said the leader of the gang, Odunayo Kolawole, 24, was shot dead, while the remaining two others escaped arrest

Other members of the gang , according to him are Deji Owolabi, Ayodeji Obamoyegun, Peter Akinwale and Oluwatosin Adefemi.

His words“While the gang members were dispossessing their victims of their valuables, a police woman sent a distress call to the police and men from nearby stations and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad descended on them. Kolawole, the leader of the gang, who was on the rooftop serving as a watch for the gang was gunned down in a shoot-out and others were arrested,” Babayemi added.

The PPRO further disclosed that the hoodlums inflicted machete cuts on some of their victims and attempted to rape some ladies among them.

Confessing to committing the crime, Osalusi, who acted as the masquerade, said it was his family’s tradition to allow the masquerade come out on specific occasions.

He added that he put on the garb to disguise himself during the operation, and that it was his elder brother that was initially acting as the masquerade.

Items recovered from the gang members included two locally made single barrel gun, two locally made pistol. 10 live cartridges, five expended cartridges, three machetes, six handsets, masks, two wrist watches and assorted charms.