By Peace Udugba
The Ogun State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against armed robbery and vehicle theft, leading to the arrest of three suspects, including an alleged kingpin, and the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla and several exhibits linked to criminal activities.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operations were carried out by the Anti-Robbery Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, through intelligence-led investigations across Abeokuta and its environs.
Armed Robbery Attempt Foiled
The command disclosed that operatives attached to Obantoko Division responded to a distress call on May 22, 2026, at about 9:45 p.m., following an attempted robbery at Oniyo Community, Arokoje, Obantoko, Abeokuta.
Armed suspects had allegedly attempted to dispossess a resident of his vehicle while he was opening the gate to his residence. However, the victim raised an alarm, attracting neighbours to the scene.
In the ensuing struggle, the suspects reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence. They subsequently abandoned the vehicle and escaped in another waiting vehicle. During the escape, one of the suspects dropped an Infinix mobile phone and a Wema Bank ATM card, which were recovered by the police.
Investigations based on intelligence obtained from the recovered items led detectives to identify Ismaila Israel Sokunbi, 38, as a principal suspect with links to Kayode Adeyemi, 37, alleged to be the syndicate’s kingpin.
Sokunbi was arrested on May 26 in the Oke-Jigbo and Isale Abese areas of Abeokuta. A search conducted at his residence yielded several items, including a new Ox ceiling fan, a gas cooker, SIM cards and SIM packs, suspected charms, mechanical tools, a commercial gas-filling hose and cooking pots.
Further investigations by the Anti-Robbery Squad at SCID Eleweran led to the arrest of Adeyemi in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Police said the suspects confessed to the attempted robbery and admitted belonging to a syndicate involved in multiple vehicle thefts in Abeokuta and neighbouring communities. They also revealed that they specialised in stealing vehicles by tampering with ignition wiring systems.
Stolen Toyota Corolla Recovered:
In a separate operation, detectives attached to the Anti-Robbery Squad cracked a vehicle theft case reported at Odeda Police Station on May 18, 2026, involving a Toyota Corolla stolen in Osiele.
Acting on intelligence, operatives arrested Kola Taiwo, 55, and recovered the stolen vehicle.
According to the police, investigations revealed that Taiwo had been involved in several vehicle thefts within the Osiele axis, using master keys to gain access to parked vehicles. He also confessed to stealing a green Toyota Camry in an earlier operation.
Efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
The suspect remains in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the operatives involved in the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised their professionalism, resilience and intelligence-driven approach.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to proactive policing and a zero-tolerance stance against violent crimes and vehicle theft across the state.
Ojajuni also warned criminals to desist from unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law, assuring residents of continued security and safety.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
For emergencies and credible information, residents can contact the Ogun State Police Command through the toll-free Gateway Shield line, 0800 000 9111, or the emergency numbers 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369 and 0708 497 2994.
