By Peace Udugba
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested five teenagers suspected of involvement in separate shop-breaking and burglary incidents in the Ado-Odo area of the state, recovering stolen foodstuffs and other items.
The arrests followed separate operations carried out by police officers, community members and personnel of the So-Safe Corps.
In the first incident, which occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on September 2, 2026, concerned community members alerted the police after a watchman reportedly noticed suspicious movements inside a market stall.
Patrol teams were immediately mobilised to the scene, where two teenagers, identified as 15-year-old Lateef Kalid and 16-year-old Kareem Jamal, were arrested inside the shop.
The police said stolen foodstuffs and other items were recovered from the suspects.
Further investigation led to the arrest of 14-year-old Sofiu Alabi, who allegedly admitted providing the key used to gain access to the shop.
The three suspects have since been charged to court.
In a related development on September 4, 2026, local security operatives from the So-Safe Corps apprehended two other teenagers, identified as 16-year-old Taofik Abioro and 15-year-old Ogundele Monday, and handed them over to police detectives.
According to the police, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects confessed to participating in multiple shop burglaries across Ado-Odo.
Subsequent searches conducted at their premises also led to the recovery of additional items suspected to have been stolen.
The police said the case has been referred for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to track down an alleged accomplice who remains at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, commended officers of the Ado-Odo Division for their swift response.
He also praised the So-Safe Corps and members of the local community for their cooperation with the police, stressing that effective collaboration among security agencies and community stakeholders is crucial to disrupting criminal activities.
CP Ojajuni particularly urged parents, guardians and community leaders to strengthen supervision of young people and prevent them from being drawn into criminal activities.
He also advised business owners to improve basic security measures around their premises and promptly report suspicious activities to security authorities.
Members of the public can report emergencies and suspicious activities through The Gateway Shield toll-free line: 0800 000 9111, or the emergency lines 09164859299 and 09154293464.
