Law enforcement cracks down on notorious robbery syndicate, apprehends seven suspects in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended seven individuals suspected of various crimes, including armed robbery, "one-chance" robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms, as well as obtaining money under false pretenses.

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The command has also retrieved a stolen Toyota Venza, three locally manufactured firearms, a Toyota Camry allegedly used by a "one-chance" robbery syndicate, 17 stolen mobile phones, an HP EliteBook laptop, and N1.1m linked to an alleged travel scam.

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The suspects have been identified as Bola Salau, 42, Segun Balogun, 25, Emmanuel Friday, Tunde Abioye, Ankpa James, Tunde Ogunseye, 41, and Owodunni Seun, 36.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this information in a statement issued on Sunday, highlighting the arrests made during separate intelligence-led operations conducted by operatives from the Ilaro Area Command and the Ibafo, Mowe, Adatan, and Ode-Remo divisions.

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According to Babaseyi, these operations demonstrate the command's ongoing efforts to combat crime across the state, showcasing its commitment to intelligence-led policing and strategic crime prevention under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni.

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Babaseyi explained that operatives from the Ilaro Area Command intercepted a Toyota Venza during a routine stop-and-search operation on the Oja-Odan/Ilaro Road, after the occupants failed to provide a satisfactory account of how they acquired the vehicle.

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A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of its original registration documents hidden beneath the carpet, and detectives subsequently traced the rightful owner in Ede, Osun State, who confirmed that the vehicle had been stolen during a violent armed robbery attack on his residence on June 23, 2026.

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The command is currently investigating the suspects' involvement and working to apprehend other fleeing members of the robbery gang.

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In a separate operation, detectives from the Ibafo Division arrested two suspected members of a "one-chance" robbery syndicate following a complaint from a female victim who alleged that she was robbed of her Samsung A16 mobile phone valued at N295,000 and N120,000 in cash.

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The suspects were apprehended at a hotel in Magboro after intelligence-led investigations, and a Toyota Camry allegedly used in the operation was also recovered, with the victim positively identifying the suspects.

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The police also arrested Ankpa James in connection with an alleged travel scam, after a 21-year-old complainant accused him of collecting N1.276 million under the pretext of facilitating his travel to Luxembourg.

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According to the command, the suspect was arrested following a distress report received through the Gateway Shield emergency platform, and during interrogation, he admitted to the offense, with N1.1 million recovered and released to the complainant on bond.

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Operatives from the Adatan Division arrested a suspected cult member, Tunde Ogunseye, during a joint raid with other security agencies, alleging that he attempted to attack security operatives with a locally fabricated pistol before being subdued.

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A search of his residence resulted in the recovery of another locally fabricated pistol, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two, with preliminary investigation revealing that the suspect is a member of the Eiye Confraternity and allegedly involved in the sale of illicit drugs.

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In a separate operation, officers from the Ode-Remo Division foiled an armed robbery targeting students at Itun-Raye, Ode-Remo, with the hoodlums fleeing into a nearby bush on sighting security operatives and abandoning a locally made Dane gun, two expended cartridges, an HP EliteBook laptop, 17 mobile phones, power banks, and other personal belongings.

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The recovered phones included nine iPhones, seven Samsung Android devices, and one Itel phone, with Owodunni Seun later arrested near the scene after allegedly failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for his presence in the area.

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Preliminary investigation revealed that Owodunni Seun is a habitual offender who had previously been charged and convicted for receiving stolen property, and he is currently assisting the police with the ongoing investigation.

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Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended officers for the successful operations, reaffirming the command's commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention across the state.

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The command remains committed to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, inter-agency collaboration, and sustained pressure against all forms of criminality across Ogun State, with Ojajuni warning criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law.