Ekiti Police Smash Armed Robbery, Baby Factory, Cattle Rustling Rings; Recover 558 Cattle, Vehicles, Stolen Assets

 The Ekiti State Police Command has recorded major security breakthroughs, arresting scores of suspects linked to armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, burglary, illegal baby factory operations and theft, while recovering hundreds of rustled cattle, stolen vehicles and other valuables across the state and neighbouring regions.

Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, where he said the successes were the result of sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at consolidating peace and public safety in the state.

According to the police boss, within the period under review, five suspects were arrested for conspiracy and armed robbery; 17 for cattle rustling; five for illegal baby factory operations and child exploitation; one for stealing; and five others during raids on criminal hideouts. He added that the Command recovered 558 rustled cattle, seven stolen vehicles, 10 fabricated master keys, multiple fake vehicle plate numbers, and large quantities of new clothes, provisions and other items.

CP Eribo revealed that following multiple complaints of car snatching and vehicle theft, the Command deployed tactical units and intelligence teams, leading to the arrest of Uzobo Friday Agomatiro, a member of a four-man armed robbery gang.

He said the suspect was arrested in connection with the armed hijacking of a Toyota Corolla along Ekute Street on January 10, 2026, and confessed to the crime, naming other gang members who are currently on the run. Three fabricated master keys were recovered from him at the point of arrest.

A subsequent search of his residence yielded seven additional fabricated master keys, five Wakatek solar panels and three different vehicle plate numbers. Further operations led to the arrest of Lawal Kudirat and Agomatiro Dennis, with the recovery of two stolen vehicles.

Police operatives also recovered another stolen Toyota Corolla from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) car park, while Gbenga Adeola and Adebayo Deji were arrested at Ilumoba-Ekiti for allegedly fabricating 29 master keys for the gang. Another stolen vehicle was later recovered in Emure-Ekiti.

In another major breakthrough, the Command arrested Ibrahim Abubakar, described as a notorious cattle rustler and kidnapping kingpin, following a credible tip-off on January 21, 2026.

CP Eribo said investigations showed that Abubakar had operated across Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi states, rustling cattle for years and attacking livestock owners. A total of 255 rustled cattle were recovered from him.

Also, on January 19, 2026, operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol intercepted an ash-coloured Honda Element Jeep along the Iworoko–Ado Road, leading to the arrest of Ogekore Tiresimi Tosin.

The suspect reportedly confessed to burgling shops in Erijiyan, Ilawe, Aramoko, Ilumoba, Ikole and Oye-Ekiti. He led police to criminal hideouts in Egbe, Kogi State, and Ilorin, Kwara State, where large quantities of stolen goods, an unregistered Opel Vectra, and a Nissan bus were recovered. Several victims have since identified their stolen items.

Sixteen suspected cattle rustlers were also arrested  in a forest near Isan-Ekiti on January 21, 2026, following intelligence reports. The suspects were found with 303 cattle and failed to give satisfactory accounts of ownership.

Investigations later revealed that the arrested kingpin, Ibrahim Abubakar, was their gang leader.

In a disturbing discovery, police operatives dismantled an illegal baby factory in Ikere-Ekiti on January 24, 2026, arresting five suspects, including the alleged operator, Oluwadare Onyechi (43).

The police rescued six children aged between two and nine years, suspected to be victims of exploitation. Items recovered included delivery materials, dexamethasone tablets and bottles of oil. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other accomplices.

The Command also arrested suspects involved in the theft of 12 MTN SIM registration devices valued at ₦13 million from an office in Ado-Ekiti. Four devices were recovered from Ayomide Pelumi, while eight others were traced to Saliu Ayomide, Musa Garuba and Isah Saheed, with two of the devices already damaged.

CP Eribo added that aggressive patrols, stop-and-search operations and joint bush combing exercises have continued to yield results, including the recent recovery of a Toyota Camry suspected to be stolen during a highway stop-and-search on January 26, 2026.

“All suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he assured.

The Commissioner commended Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his support and praised Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for boosting officers’ morale nationwide.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via 08062335577, reiterating the Command’s resolve to sustain a total clampdown on criminal elements across Ekiti State.