The Ogun State police command reported on Monday that officers from the Igbeba Division in Ijebu-Ode apprehended a notorious suspect, Shedrack Olawale Olayemi, who had been evading the police for his involvement in armed robbery and the alleged rape of female students from Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, in July.
According to The PUNCH, Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, explained that Olayemi, 33, was arrested following an intelligence tip-off.
He was spotted in the Ijagun area, close to the university, where he had been trying to blend in with the local populace to avoid detection.
The police statement read, “The divisional police officer of Igbeba Division has arrested a wanted notorious suspect for armed robbery. Following a tip-off that one Olayemi Olawale Shedrack, aged 33, was sighted in Ijagun trying to conceal himself among other citizens, but his identity was immediately confirmed by intelligence, and the police were contacted. In swift action, he was apprehended.”
Olayemi was identified as the prime suspect in a July 21st incident during which he and an accomplice allegedly carried out a brutal robbery at the Royal Villa female hostel in TASUED.
Armed with weapons, the two men reportedly stole valuable educational tools from the students, including laptops, iPhones, wristwatches, and cash.
In addition to the robbery, Olayemi is accused of sexually assaulting one of the students during the raid, which forced him into hiding until his recent capture.
Odutola added, “Olayemi Olawale Shedrack has been on the police search for armed robbery and rape. He was fingered as the prime suspect for an alleged crime of armed robbery and rape in which he participated actively on the 21st of July, 2024, where he and his cohort broke into a female Royal Villa accommodation area in Tai University of Education Ijagun, where he robbed harmless female students of their luxury educational devices, including laptops, iPhones, sports wristwatches and cash, and further had unlawful carnal knowledge of the innocent female student and has since fled.”
Following his arrest, Olayemi was taken to the Igbeba police station, where a preliminary investigation has been launched.
He is expected to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning and prosecution.
The police are now intensifying efforts to locate and arrest his accomplices.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, has urged the Ijagun community to come forward with any credible information that could aid the police in apprehending other members of the criminal gang still at large.
He assured the public that the police are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, especially in vulnerable areas such as student accommodations.
