Police Arrest Three for ATM Card Fraud in Ekiti

On August 8, 2026, the Ekiti State Police Command arrested three men suspected of being part of a syndicate involved in ATM card theft and fraud. The suspects, identified as 39-year-old Timilehin Akinola, 46-year-old Ojo Peter, and 35-year-old Ademola Akinware, were apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) following credible intelligence regarding their activities at the ATM gallery of Wema Bank, Okesa Branch, Ado Ekiti.

Upon sighting the police, the suspects attempted to flee on a TVS motorcycle but were intercepted in the Basiri area of Ado-Ekiti. A search of the suspects revealed 16 ATM cards belonging to various banks and individuals.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects specialized in hijacking and swapping ATM cards from unsuspecting users at bank ATM points, subsequently using the cards to withdraw funds fraudulently. The Commissioner of Police for Ekiti State, CP Michael Falade, has directed an intensified investigation to identify other members of the syndicate and assess the full extent of their criminal activities.