Police Crack Down on Armed Robbery Syndicate in Ogun State, Seize Stolen Goods and Firearm
In a significant breakthrough against organized crime, the Ogun State Police Command has apprehended eight members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate. The suspects were responsible for a series of violent attacks and the hijacking of trailer trucks along the Papalanto–Ilaro and Owode–Idiroko axes, disrupting commercial activities and endangering lives in the region.
Intelligence-Driven Operation Leads to Arrests and Recoveries
The arrests followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, who ordered operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran, Abeokuta, to deploy intelligence assets and intensify surveillance. This coordinated effort aimed to discreetly track and dismantle the criminal network, which had been operating with impunity.
Through meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance, detectives successfully identified and arrested the eight key members of the syndicate. The suspects, apprehended at various locations across the state, include Mogaji Sodiq (also known as “Ogbonṣ”), Adebowale Lekan, Ajah Peter, Ganiyu Razaq, Odeleye Ayoola, Egboja Amos, Bello Akeem, and Olaifa Sunday.
Recovery of Stolen Property and Firearm
During the operation, police recovered a hijacked trailer truck and 900 bags of cement, which the suspects had stolen. Most of the cement had already been transported to a warehouse, which was first tracked and recovered by operatives. Additionally, a locally made single-barrelled pistol was seized from the syndicate, highlighting the dangerous nature of their activities.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abeokuta, investigations revealed that the syndicate had carried out previous criminal operations. Ongoing inquiries are unveiling a pattern of organized theft specifically targeting commercial supply chains, indicating a sophisticated and well-coordinated criminal enterprise.
Ongoing Investigations and Commitment to Public Safety
Intelligence efforts are currently being exploited to track, locate, and apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate. Further investigations continue to dismantle their wider criminal network, identify accomplices, and uncover logistics channels used in their operations. Upon the conclusion of these investigations, the suspects will be charged to court accordingly.
CP Ogunlowo reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention. He assured residents and road users in Ogun State that operations targeting organized crime will persist, emphasizing the protection of lives and property as a top priority.
The Commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines. These include the Gateway Shield general complaints line (toll-free: 0800 000 9111) and emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.
