- Mariam Taofeek-Bakare | Premier World News
The Ogun State Police Command says it has arrested seven suspects and recovered a range of items after coordinated operations in Ilaro, Ibafo, Mowe, Adatan and Ode-Remo.
According to a press statement released on the Command’s official social media handle and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, the operations targeted armed robbery, One-Chance robbery, fraud, illegal firearms possession and cult-related offences.
“The operations led to the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of exhibits including a stolen Toyota Venza, three locally made firearms, a One-Chance operational vehicle, 17 mobile phones, a laptop and ₦1.1 million”, the statement said.
The release highlighted that Police operatives on Oja-Odan/Ilaro Road intercepted a blue Toyota Venza with Lagos registration conveying two (2) occupants, Bola Salau, 42, and Segun Balogun, 25, could not account for the vehicle and were taken into custody.
A search uncovered the car’s documents hidden under the carpet. Detectives traced the owner to Ede, Osun State, who confirmed it was stolen during a June 23 armed robbery at his home.
“The stolen vehicle has been recovered, while investigation is ongoing to establish the suspects’ involvement”, the Command stated.
In another operation, Ibafo Division arrested Emmanuel Friday and Tunde Abioye after a woman reported being robbed of a Samsung A16 phone valued at ₦295,000 and ₦120,000 cash by men in a One-Chance car in Magboro.
Acting on intelligence, detectives arrested the suspects, Emmanuel Friday and Tunde Abioye at Freeway Hotel in Magboro area of the Division and recovered the Toyota Camry used for the operations.
“The victim positively identified the suspects”, the release noted.
While Mowe operatives arrested Ankpa James following a complaint that he collected ₦1,276,000 from a 21-year-old under the guise of securing travel to Luxembourg.
“During interrogation, the suspect admitted involvement in the offence, while ₦1.1 million was recovered and released to the complainant on bond”, the Command said.
In a joint raid, Adatan Division arrested a suspected cultist Tunde Ogunseye, 41 and recovered two locally fabricated pistols, while the Police alleged the suspect tried to attack officers with a gun before being overpowered.
Preliminary findings, according to the Command, link him to the Eiye Confraternity and illicit drug sales, as he has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
A swift response to a distress call of students being robbed, Ode-Remo operatives supported by vigilantes group foiled the robbery attack Itun-Raye.
The attackers fled into a bush, abandoning a Dane gun, two cartridges, 17 phones, a laptop and other items.
In turns, Owodunni Seun, 36, was arrested near the scene whom the Command described as “a habitual offender who had previously been charged and convicted for receiving stolen property”.
Lauding the intelligence-led operations, the Commissioner of Police CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, lauded the officers and reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing.
He warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law and urged residents to share information via Gateway Shield 0800 000 9111 or emergency lines: 09062837609, 09120141706, 09151027369, 07084972994.
