The suspects were allegedly caught with 16 ATM cards after fleeing an ATM gallery in Ado-Ekiti, with police investigating possible links to a wider syndicate
The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of belonging to a syndicate involved in ATM card theft and fraud after they were allegedly found with 16 bank cards in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
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The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Timilehin Akinola, 46-year-old Ojo Peter and 35-year-old Ademola Akinware, were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad following intelligence about suspicious activity at the Wema Bank ATM gallery at Okesa.
Police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said the suspects attempted to flee when officers arrived at the location.
“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,” Abutu said.
A search of the men allegedly led to the recovery of 16 ATM cards belonging to different banks and individuals.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects may have been operating by targeting bank customers at ATM points within and around bank premises.
Abutu said the suspects were allegedly involved in hijacking or swapping customers’ ATM cards before using the cards to withdraw money from their victims’ accounts.
The arrests have prompted the Command to widen its investigation as detectives work to establish whether the three men were part of a larger organised network and determine the extent of the alleged fraudulent activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Michael Falade, has directed investigators to intensify the probe and identify other people who may be connected to the suspected syndicate.
The case highlights the continuing risks faced by bank customers at cash machines, particularly where criminals exploit moments of confusion or offer unsolicited assistance to obtain cards or access banking information.
Police urged members of the public to remain particularly cautious when using ATM facilities and to avoid handing their cards to strangers, even when assistance is offered.
The Command also encouraged customers who notice suspicious behaviour around ATM galleries to report it promptly rather than attempting to confront suspected criminals themselves.
The latest arrests represent an important step in the police investigation, but authorities are yet to establish the full scale of the alleged operation or determine whether other victims and suspects are involved.
Abutu urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or contact the Ekiti State Police Command through its designated emergency contact.
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As investigations continue, the police are expected to examine the recovered cards and alleged transactions to establish how they were obtained and whether they were used to withdraw funds from victims’ accounts.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
