Ondo Police Arrest 10 Over Violent Land Dispute, Interstate Robbery Syndicate; Recover AK-47, Acid

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects in connection with a violent land dispute in Akure and an alleged interstate armed robbery syndicate operating across Ondo and Lagos states.

The command also recovered several weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, pistols, locally made firearms, ammunition, cutlasses and other dangerous items during separate operations.

Parading the suspects in Akure, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, said seven suspects were arrested over a violent confrontation linked to a land dispute in Kajola, Akure, while three others were apprehended for alleged involvement in armed robbery activities.

According to the police commissioner, the land dispute incident occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m, on a farmland in Adegbiji, via Kajola.

Ohagwu said preliminary investigations showed that the dispute involved Akinsulu Titus and Ajani Abiodun, both residents of Ayetoro via Kajola, who are parties to an ongoing land case before the High Court sitting in Ore.

He explained that both parties allegedly arrived at the disputed farmland with groups of supporters, including commercial motorcycle riders and three individuals suspected to be soldiers, who are currently at large.

“The disagreement reportedly stemmed from allegations of the destruction of palm trees and other economic crops before it degenerated into a violent confrontation during which both principal parties sustained varying degrees of injuries and their clothing was torn,” he said.

Following the clash, police operatives moved to the scene to restore calm and recovered a yellow bag believed to contain weapons and other items.

A search of the bag revealed two locally made firearms, two cutlasses, a bag containing suspected charms, a rubber container labelled “Acid”, and other dangerous materials, according to the police.

Meanwhile, the command also announced the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to an armed robbery syndicate operating across Ondo and Lagos states.

The suspects were identified as Promise Daniel 34, Ifeanyi Umahi 29 and Adaramoye Abayomi 37.

Ohagwu said they were arrested on Saturday, July 18, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation by police operatives.

He explained that their arrest was connected to an armed robbery case reported on June 14, 2026, at Iju Division, Ita-Ogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area.

According to him, the suspects were intercepted while travelling in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz ML 350 SUV following sustained surveillance.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one magazine containing 18 rounds of live ammunition, one English-made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds, one UTC axe and one iron cutter.

The police commissioner said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were members of a robbery syndicate allegedly involved in violent crimes across Ondo State.

He added that the suspects had provided useful information during interrogation, assisting investigators in efforts to track other members of the group who are currently at large.

Ohagwu said the land dispute case had been transferred to the Command Surveillance Squad in Akure for further investigation, while assuring that all suspects found culpable would be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing crime and maintaining public safety across the state.