{
  "id": 487408,
  "title": "Police arrest three fraudsters, recover 16 ATM cards in Ekiti",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/police-arrest-three-fraudsters-recover-16-atm-cards-in-ekiti",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T17:40:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/police-arrest-three-fraudsters-recover-16-atm-cards-in-ekiti/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ekiti State Police Command apprehended three men on August 8, 2026, suspected to be members of a syndicate specializing in ATM card theft and fraud. Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer, announced this in a statement from Ado Ekiti. The suspects, identified as Timilehin Akinola, 39, Ojo Peter, 46, and Ademola Akinware, 35, were apprehended by the Rapid Response Squad after receiving credible intelligence about their presence at the Wema Bank Okesa Branch. Upon the operatives' arrival, the suspects fled on a TVS motorcycle. The police gave chase and intercepted them in Basiri area of Ado-Ekiti.\n\nA search of the suspects revealed the recovery of 16 ATM cards belonging to different banks and individuals. The preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were experts in hijacking and swapping ATM cards from unsuspecting public members at ATM points within bank premises. They would then use these cards to fraudulently withdraw funds from the victims' bank accounts. The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, CP Michael Falade, has ordered an intensified investigation to identify other members of the syndicate and ascertain the full extent of their criminal activities.\n\nFalade urged the public to remain vigilant when using ATM facilities and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the Command on 08062335577.",
  "summary": "Ekiti Police have arrested three suspects and recovered 16 ATM cards, disrupting a syndicate specializing in ATM card fraud and theft. Stay vigilant at ATM Read More: https://punchng.com/police-arrest-three-fraudsters-recover-16-atm-cards-in-ekiti/",
  "key_points": [
    "Three men arrested for ATM card theft on August 8, 2026",
    "Suspects Timilehin Akinola, Ojo Peter, and Ademola Akinware",
    "Police recover 16 ATM cards from suspects in Ado-Ekiti"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Police arrest three fraudsters, recover 16 ATM cards in Ekiti",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/police-arrest-three-fraudsters-recover-16-atm-cards-in-ekiti-488929",
        "published": "2026-08-10T17:47:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}