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 Command said the arrests followed a coordinated intelligence-led operation that also led to the recovery of a hijacked trailer truck, nine hundred bags of cement, and a locally made single-barrel pistol.
According to the police, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police. T
he operatives were tasked to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance, and covert tracking to dismantle the criminal network.
Through sustained intelligence gathering and crime pattern analysis, detectives successfully identified and penetrated the syndicate, leading to the arrest of eight suspects at different locations across the state.
Those arrested are Mogaji Sodiq, also known as “Ogbonṣ”, Adebowale Lekan, Ajah Peter, Ganiyu Razaq, Odeleye Ayoola, Egboja Amos, Bello Akeem, and Olaifa Sunday.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were intercepted after conveying the hijacked trailer truck, while most of the stolen cement had earlier been offloaded at a warehouse, which was traced and recovered by the police. Further operations led to the recovery of the locally made firearm.
The Command said preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate had been involved in previous criminal operations targeting commercial supply chains within the state.
it also said efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other fleeing members of the gang, as well as identify accomplices and logistics channels connected to the network, while residents and road users have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency lines.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property across the state.
