Police arrest suspected vehicle theft kingpin in Ogun, recover stolen car

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Operatives of the Mowe Division of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a suspected vehicle theft kingpin, Mosuru Issa, 28, and recovered a stolen wine-coloured Toyota Camry during a proactive stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

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The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday.

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Babaseyi said, “At about 7:30am on 11 September 2026, the operatives, while conducting routine patrol and stop-and-search along the Mowe axis, flagged down the vehicle for a security check.

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“The three occupants, on sighting the police, suddenly abandoned the vehicle and fled in different directions, raising suspicion. The operatives immediately pursued them, resulting in the arrest of Mosuru Issa of Osungboye Street, Agege, Lagos State, while the stolen vehicle was secured and recovered.”

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He explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was allegedly stolen on 7 September 2026 from where it was parked in Ojo, Lagos State.

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Babaseyi said the incident underscored the importance of proactive policing, routine patrols and lawful stop-and-search operations in detecting criminal activity, recovering stolen property and preventing criminals from using Ogun’s highways as escape routes.

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He added that efforts were ongoing to locate the vehicle’s owner and apprehend the fleeing accomplices, while the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

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The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response.

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Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and sustained operations aimed at protecting lives and property and disrupting vehicle theft, highway crime and other criminal activities across the state.

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The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line: 0800 000 9111, or the emergency numbers 09164859299 and 09154293464.

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Vehicle owners were also advised to adopt basic security measures, including the use of tyre locks, steering locks and other appropriate anti-theft devices, particularly when vehicles are parked in public or unsecured locations.

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