…decorates newly promoted officers, meets media professionals
Ekiti State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 3,490 criminal suspects between January and December 2025.
Among the suspects are the masterminds of the robbery attacks on First Bank, Ilasha in 2012 and Wema Bank in 2020.
The leader of the gang known as Adinoi Samuel a.k.a Samuel Ebira was an ex convict who also spearheaded the kidnap of some notable personalities in the state.
Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo said the command arrested Adinoi Samuel a.k.a Samuel Ebira, Tope Agbaje a.k.a Okete and Godwin Pius Anawo ‘m’ in Ado-Ekiti while planning to launch an attack on different Banks in Ado-Ekiti.
The CP explained that the Command recorded a significant reduction in crimes, murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery in 2025.
According to the statistics released by the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, murder cases dropped from 53 in 2024 to 37 in 2025, while kidnapping reduced sharply from 17 cases to seven. Armed robbery also fell from 18 to seven cases within the same period, reflecting what the Command described as improved policing strategies and stronger community cooperation.
CP Eribo attributed the decline to proactive patrols, intelligence-driven operations, and timely response to distress calls, stressing that the gains have helped residents go about their daily activities with greater confidence and peace of mind.
He also highlighted several operational breakthroughs that disrupted criminal networks, including the arrest of suspects who were planning coordinated bank attacks in Ado-Ekiti, as well as the recovery of stolen vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile phones worth millions of naira. According to him,
These arrests prevented potential harm to innocent citizens and protected livelihoods.
CP Eribo also disclosed that the Command successfully tracked and reunited a stolen newborn baby with the parents within 24 hours, describing the rescue as a humanitarian success that restored public trust and emotional relief to the affected family.
Emphasizing the human side of security, the Commissioner praised journalists for responsible reporting, describing the media as “critical partners” in sustaining peace. He noted that accurate and balanced reportage has helped prevent panic, counter misinformation, and strengthen public confidence in law enforcement.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of the NUJ, Kayode Babatuyi, commended the Police Command for maintaining an open and professional relationship with the media and assured continued support in promoting public safety through ethical journalism.
During the event, CP Eribo also decorated four newly promoted officers from the rank of Superintendent of Police to Chief Superintendent of Police: Adeniran Akinwumi, Ofanson Vincent, Ogunleye Kehinde, and Falade Sesan Reuben, urging them to see their elevation as a call to greater discipline, accountability, and service to the people.
The Police Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining peace in Ekiti State, pledging intensified community policing, technology-driven crime prevention, and closer collaboration with residents and stakeholders to ensure that 2026 records even lower crime rates.
