The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested three men suspected to be members of a syndicate specialising in ATM card theft and fraud.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday.
Abutu identified the suspects arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad on August 8, 2026, as 39-year-old Timilehin Akinola, 46-year-old Ojo Peter and 35-year-old Ademola Akinware.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence about their presence at the ATM gallery of Wema Bank, Okesa Branch, Ado Ekiti.
Abutu said RRS operatives were deployed to the location after receiving the information, but the suspects fled on sighting the officers.
He said the suspects, who were riding a TVS motorcycle, were chased and eventually intercepted in the Basiri area of Ado Ekiti.
A search conducted on them reportedly led to the recovery of 16 ATM cards belonging to different banks and individuals.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects specialised in hijacking and swapping ATM cards from unsuspecting members of the public at ATM points within bank premises.
According to the command, the suspects allegedly used the stolen cards to fraudulently withdraw money from victims’ bank accounts.
The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Michael Falade, has directed that the investigation be intensified to identify other members of the alleged syndicate and determine the full extent of their activities.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant when using ATM facilities and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The command also provided its contact line, 08062335577, for members of the public to report suspicious activities.