By our Reporter
The Ogun State Police Command has recorded major successes in its ongoing campaign against armed robbery and vehicle theft, with the arrest of three suspects, including an alleged syndicate kingpin, and the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla during intelligence-led operations across Abeokuta and surrounding communities.
The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, following investigations into separate cases of attempted armed robbery and vehicle theft.
According to the Police Command, the first operation stemmed from a distress call received at the Obantoko Division on May 22, 2026, regarding an attempted armed robbery at Oniyo Community, Arokoje, Obantoko, Abeokuta. Armed suspects reportedly attempted to steal a resident’s vehicle while he was opening the gate to his residence.
The victim reportedly raised an alarm, attracting neighbours and causing confusion among the suspects. In the process, the attackers lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence before abandoning it and fleeing in another vehicle. During their escape, an Infinix mobile phone and a Wema Bank ATM card were recovered at the scene.
Police investigators subsequently traced the recovered items through telecommunications analysis, leading to the identification and arrest of one of the suspects, 38-year-old Ismaila Israel Sokunbi, on May 26 within the Oke-Jigbo and Isale Abese areas of Abeokuta.
A search conducted at his residence yielded several items, including a new ceiling fan, a gas cooker, SIM cards, suspected charms, mechanical tools, a gas-filling hose and cooking utensils.
Further investigation by the Anti-Robbery Squad led to the arrest of 37-year-old Kayode Adeyemi in Ibadan, Oyo State. Police described Adeyemi as the suspected kingpin of the criminal network.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to the attempted robbery and admitted belonging to a syndicate involved in multiple vehicle thefts across Abeokuta and neighbouring communities. Investigators said the group specialised in stealing vehicles by tampering with ignition wiring systems.
In a separate operation, detectives also resolved a vehicle theft case reported at Odeda Police Station on May 18, 2026, involving a Toyota Corolla stolen in the Osiele area.
Acting on intelligence, operatives arrested 55-year-old Kola Taiwo and recovered the stolen vehicle. Police investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly used master keys to gain access to parked vehicles and had been linked to several theft incidents within the Osiele axis.
The suspect reportedly confessed to stealing the recovered Toyota Corolla and also admitted involvement in the theft of a green Toyota Camry in an earlier operation. Efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism and intelligence-driven approach of the operatives involved in the operations. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive policing and the eradication of violent crime and vehicle theft across the state.
Ojajuni also warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law, while assuring residents of continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of lives and property.
The suspects remain in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
