Lakanu addressed journalists in Ado- Ekiti at the weekend and stated that the robbers attacked a telecommunication franchise, Card Mega System Limited, in Ilawe Ekiti, on August 22, 2014, where recharge cards worth N4.1 million were stolen.
He said upon receiving a distress call that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad went after the robbers, engaged them in a gun duel and recovered part of the stolen goods.
Lakanu said items like a Toshiba laptop computer and a variety of GSM phones valued at N178,000, were also stolen during the midnight operation.
“The operatives also approached the telecommunication company to block the remainder that are yet to be recovered to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from using them,” the commissioner said.
The command also paraded one Akinsola Faleye, an alleged criminal, who was recently released from prison, having been sentenced to jail for robbing someone at gunpoint, at his hideout in Ajilosun and he would be charged to court soon.
Lakanu added that the police also foiled a robbery operation with the aid of a vigilance group at Olorunsogo, Ado-Ekiti, on September 4, during which one Femi Abegunde was arrested, after robbing some victims of N662,000, gold lace, phones and automated teller machines cards.
Aside from the robbery suspects that were paraded, Lakanu said the Ekiti State command also arrested and detained one Abraham Kayode, 35, for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old primary three pupil on September 28, 2014 under the guise of sending her on errand and that investigation revealed that the suspect has been a serial paedophile.
In similar way, the police also arrested one Shuaibu Ojo at Emure Ekiti on October 12, for allegedly breaking into a residential building and raping a 17-year old girl.
Lakanu promised to make Ekiti State a no-go area for criminals, in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, that lives and property of every Nigerian must be
protected, regardless of where he or she lives.
The police boss added that his men have improved on intelligence gathering to be able to guide them in taking proactive actions in taming criminals rather than being reactive after havoc has already been wreaked on innocent citizens.
“However, protection of lives and property is the responsibility of all, hence I have been meeting with relevant stakeholders to garner their support in the task at hand. I have met with the bankers’ forum, hoteliers’ association, drivers’ unions and independent petroleum marketers.
“I also crave their indulgence for a continuous partnership through provision of useful information that can help in prevention and detection of crime. I want to allay their fears as any information given to us shall be treated with maximum confidentiality,” Lakanu said.
