Three nabbed as Ekiti police bust ATM card theft syndicate
August 11, 2026 12:52 am
By Abiodun Nejo
The police in Ekiti State have arrested three men suspected to be members of a syndicate specialised in ATM card theft and fraud.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti, listed the three suspects arrested by operatives of the police Rapid Response Squad on Monday as 39-year-old Timilehin Akinola, 46-year-old Ojo Peter and 35-year-old Ademola Akinware.
Abutu stated that the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence regarding their presence at the ATM gallery of Wema Bank, Okesa Branch, Ado-Ekiti.
The police spokesperson 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 said.
Abutu stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Michael Falade, had directed that the investigation be intensified with a view to identifying other members of the syndicate and establishing the full extent of their 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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