By Peace Udugba
The Ogun State Police Command has recorded major operational successes, including the arrest of armed robbery suspects, recovery of a stolen vehicle and two motorcycles, and the enforcement of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against vehicles operating without valid registration plates.
The Command disclosed on Saturday that 89 vehicles and their drivers were apprehended across the state for operating without registration plates or with covered, altered, or obscured number plates.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, appropriate administrative and legal actions have been taken against the offenders in line with existing laws, including prosecution where necessary.
The Command said the enforcement exercise followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, with the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, directing Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders to intensify compliance across the state.
It explained that the exercise is aimed at improving vehicle traceability, strengthening intelligence gathering, supporting investigations, and denying criminals the anonymity often exploited in carrying out criminal activities.
In a related development, operatives of the Ogere Division, working with the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, local vigilantes and community members, foiled an armed robbery attack at Akuro Phase I, Ogere Remo, on July 3.
The armed robbers had reportedly invaded a residence, dispossessing occupants of two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables before attempting to escape.
Police operatives swiftly responded, forcing the suspects to abandon the stolen motorcycles and flee into a nearby bush.
A suspect, identified as Abdulsalam Adam, was later arrested and is assisting investigators. Police also recovered a knife, an expended cartridge and a broken padlock from the scene, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation.
Similarly, on July 2, operatives of the Ajuwon Division recovered a stolen Toyota Camry following an armed robbery incident at Baale Akinosi Area, Ajuwon.
According to the Command, hoodlums had invaded a residence, making away with mobile phones, jewellery, power banks, a laptop computer, the Toyota Camry and other valuables.
The Division’s Anti-Crime Team immediately launched a coordinated operation, forcing the fleeing suspects to abandon the stolen vehicle during a police pursuit.
One suspect, identified as Israel Salako, was arrested, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover the remaining stolen items.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, CP Ojajuni praised their professionalism, vigilance and prompt response, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led and preventive policing.
He urged motorists to comply with vehicle registration requirements and advised residents to remain security conscious by boarding commercial vehicles only at designated motor parks and recognised loading points.
The Commissioner also cautioned against patronising unregistered vehicles operating as commercial transport and encouraged residents to share their travel details with trusted relatives whenever possible.
He appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring residents that the Command would sustain robust security operations to keep criminal elements under constant pressure across Ogun State.
