Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 21-year-old man, Onome Samuel, for alleged armed robbery.
A locally-made pistol was also recovered from Delta State-born Samuel when he was arrested for phone theft on July 29 at Olomi Academy area of Ibadan at about 9:30pm.
Parading the suspect at the command headquarters in Ibadan, the state commandant, Michael Adaralewa, said that Samuel and his three-man gang which specialised in robbing innocent citizens of their property, were apprehended by men of the NSCDC patrolling the area after the suspect was caught and about to be set ablaze by the crowd.
He said that the suspect confessed that he and his two other gang members, Sodiq and Toheeb, currently at large, were based in Ikorodu, Lagos State and that he connected with his team through phone call whenever they wanted to go on an operation.
Exhibits recovered from Samuel included a locally-made pistol, which he said he bought for N50,000 as well as four live cartridges.
Warning the mob against jungle justice, Adaralewa said “it is an offence to put law into your hands whenever a suspect is apprehended. Let us hand them over to security agencies around and stop jungle justice.”
The commandant stated further that the suspect would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
Adaralewa assured the people of the state of adequate security of lives and property, as the NSCDC operatives would intensify efforts in patrolling every nook and cranny, as well as collaborate with sister agencies to rid the state of criminal elements.