Arms Dealer in Uniform: Police inspector arrested
The Ekiti State Police Command has apprehended a Police Inspector, Hillary Garcha, attached to the Safer Highway Patrol, Ado-Ekiti, for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to various robbery groups. The arrest was revealed in a Situation Report on Saturday.
According to the report, Garcha’s arrest led to the dismantling of several robbery gangs in different areas of the state. The investigation began with the arrest of a 34-year-old robbery suspect, Ponyi Nambe Boka, which subsequently led to the recovery of guns from hotels and even a well.
The arrested gang members, detained in various locations, including hotels, all mentioned Garcha as their weapon supplier.
The police team recovered guns and ammunition from the suspects, exposing the Inspector’s alleged involvement in arming criminal groups.
The Ekiti State Police Command has taken swift action, demonstrating its commitment to rooting out corruption and crime within its ranks.
The arrest of Inspector Garcha serves as a warning to those who may be complicit in criminal activities, and the command’s efforts to tackle robbery and related offenses in the state.
The police team, still working on confessions of the suspect, stormed Wonder King Hotel located at Water Works Area of Ado-Ekiti, where Tinnam Timmel Moses, 31, and Ponpyal Domfas Yohanna, 38, aka Boss, were arrested.
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On June 7, 2024, the police team extended investigations to Ido-Ekiti, where one Napkul Amos, aka Birdman, was arrested.
On June 8, 2024, the arrested suspects led RRS operatives to YGL Hotel, located in the Oke-Ila area of Ado-Ekiti, where two locally made Beretta pistols with two magazines loaded with four 9mm live ammunition were recovered inside a well within the hotel premises.
During the operation, 29-year-old Peter Nalde; Loktul Joshua Sunday, 25; Benjamin Dashe, 27; Selna Luka, 29; and Sadul Marmap 29, were arrested in the hotel premises.
According to the SITREP: “All arrested suspects confessed to be members of the robbery gang and indicted the arrested inspector as their supplier of arms and ammunition.
“Investigation further revealed that the gang members were responsible for the armed robbery attacks on one Bukola Esan at Adebayo Area Ado-Ekiti on 5th of January 2024, murder of one Adewumi Blessing, 29 at Ajebamidele area Ado-Ekiti, which occurred on the 6th of February 2024.
“Also, these gang members also murdered Isijola Temitope Opeyemi, 40, POS Operator at Ilawe Road Ado-Ekiti on 22nd of May 2024.
“Investigation revealed that the arrested suspects have been snatching motorcycles in Ado metropolis since January 2024. The suspects are in custody and currently undergoing interrogation.
“Effort is on top gear for possible arrest of fleeing gang members mentioned as one Toomuch Dashe, Ponsak, Samak, Shinquam and recovery of remaining arms and stolen valuables in their possession.”
