The Ogun state police command has arrested three suspected members of a vehicle theft and armed robbery network operating within Abeokuta and surrounding communities.
The suspects — Ismaila Israel Sokunbi (38), Kayode Adeyemi (37), and Kola Taiwo (55) — were apprehended during separate intelligence-driven operations that also led to the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, police spokesperson disclosed that the breakthrough followed an attempted vehicle robbery in Oniyo Community, Obantoko, on May 22.
According to him, armed suspects allegedly attacked a resident while he was trying to enter his home. The victim’s cries for help attracted neighbours, forcing the suspects into a hasty escape after losing control of the vehicle they were attempting to steal and crashing it into a fence.
During the operation, investigators recovered an Infinix mobile phone and a Wema Bank ATM card allegedly dropped by one of the fleeing suspects.
Babaseyi explained that forensic analysis of the recovered items helped detectives trace and arrest Sokunbi in Abeokuta. Further investigations led to the arrest of Adeyemi, identified by police as the alleged leader of the criminal group, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A search of Sokunbi’s residence reportedly uncovered several items, including mechanical tools, SIM cards, cooking equipment, a gas-filling hose, and other materials believed to be connected to the suspects’ activities.
The police also arrested Taiwo in a separate operation linked to the theft of a Toyota Corolla reported stolen in Osiele. Investigators said he allegedly confessed to stealing the vehicle and another Toyota Camry in an earlier incident.
Police authorities stated that efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.
The suspects remain in custody and are expected to face prosecution after the conclusion of investigations.
Bode Ojajuni,, Ogun State Commissioner of Police commended officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling vehicle theft, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across the state.