By our Reporter
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered three stolen vehicles, live cartridges, a So-Safe Corps uniform and other exhibits in separate intelligence-led operations carried out in Ifo and Sango areas of the state.
The suspects, identified as Mohammed Adeniyi Usman, popularly known as “Mandela,” aged 48, and Abiodun Ogunojukan, alias “Ilasa,” aged 38, were apprehended by detectives attached to the Ifo and Sango Divisions.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation was led by the Divisional Police Officers of Ifo and Sango Divisions, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi and CSP Idowu G. Olatunji, respectively.
The police said the breakthrough followed sustained investigations into reported cases of armed robbery and vehicle snatching within the affected areas.
Babaseyi explained that detectives, acting on credible intelligence on Saturday, May 10, 2026, stormed a suspected criminal hideout in the Adeleye Area of Itele, Ota, where stolen vehicles were allegedly concealed.
“On arrival at about 4:00 p.m., operatives sighted the suspected stolen vehicles within the premises and immediately cordoned off the area, laying strategic ambush for the occupants who were not present at the time,” the statement said.
The operation later led to the arrest of Mohammed Adeniyi Usman at about 10:35 p.m.
Items recovered from the hideout included a Toyota Corolla belonging to a complainant, a Toyota Venza allegedly stolen at gunpoint on April 26, 2026, at Ilese-Awo, Abeokuta, and a Honda Crosstour reportedly snatched during another robbery operation at Ijoko, Ota.
The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect belonged to a criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and vehicle theft within Ogun State and neighbouring areas.
Further operations carried out on Sunday, May 11, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m. led to the arrest of the second suspect, Abiodun Ogunojukan, under the Sango-Ota Bridge.
The suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crimes and provided useful information to assist police efforts in tracking down other fleeing members of the gang and recovering additional stolen vehicles.
Other exhibits recovered during the operations include two live cartridges, foreign currencies, one So-Safe Corps uniform, one MP3 sound system and a plasma television set.
The police said all recovered items have been documented and secured, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and intelligence-led approach to crime fighting.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining the crackdown on criminal elements across the state.
The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies through its emergency lines.
