The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate linked to violent attacks and the hijacking of trailer trucks along the Papalanto–Ilaro and Owode–Idiroko corridors of the state.
The development was confirmed in Abeokuta by the police public relations officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, who said the arrests followed a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.
According to the command, operatives recovered a hijacked trailer truck loaded with 900 bags of cement, as well as a locally made single-barrelled pistol.
Babaseyi explained that the suspects were intercepted after moving the stolen trailer, with a large portion of the cement earlier traced to and recovered from a warehouse through intelligence-led tracking.
“Through sustained intelligence gathering, covert surveillance, and crime pattern analysis, detectives successfully identified and penetrated the syndicate”, he said.
“This operation culminated in the arrest of eight key members of the gang. The suspects arrested include: Mogaji Sodiq (M) a.k.a. “Ogbonṣ”, Adebowale Lekan (M), Ajah Peter (M), Ganiyu Razaq (M), Odeleye Ayoola (M), Egboja Amos (M), Bello Akeem (M), and Olaifa Sunday (M). The suspects were apprehended at different locations across the state based on actionable intelligence”.
“Subsequent operations led to the recovery of their locally made single-barrelled pistol. It was further established during investigations that the syndicate had carried out previous criminal operations, with ongoing inquiries unveiling a pattern of organised theft targeting commercial supply chains.”
The police said intelligence efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other fleeing members of the group, while investigations continue to “dismantle their wider criminal network and identify accomplices and logistics channels”.
“The suspects will be charged to court accordingly upon the conclusion of investigations.”
The command added that the commissioner of police has directed operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad and the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, to intensify intelligence deployment, surveillance and targeted operations to dismantle the network.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property across the state, while assuring residents and road users that operations targeting organised crime will continue.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (General Complaints Line – Toll Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994”, the statement added.