Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade.

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested three men suspected to be members of a syndicate specialising in ATM card theft and fraud.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday.

Abutu listed the suspects arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad on August 8, 2026, as 39-year-old Timilehin Akinola, 46-year-old Ojo Peter and 35-year-old Ademola Akinware.

The police spokesperson said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence about their presence at the ATM gallery of Wema Bank, Okesa Branch, Ado Ekiti.

Abutu said, “Upon receipt of the information, RRS operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects, who were riding a TVS motorcycle, fled the scene. The operatives immediately gave them a hot pursuit and successfully intercepted them at the Basiri area of Ado-Ekiti.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of 16 ATM cards belonging to different banks and individuals.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects specialised in hijacking and swapping ATM cards from unsuspecting members of the public at ATM points within bank premises and subsequently using the cards to fraudulently withdraw funds from the victims’ bank accounts.”

The PPRO stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Michael Falade, had directed that the investigation be intensified to identify other members of the syndicate and establish the full extent of their alleged criminal activities.

“The CP enjoins members of the public to remain vigilant when using ATM facilities and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the Command on 08062335577,” the police spokesperson said.

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