The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-Safe Corps, has arrested a 67-year-old land agent, Bolaji Onifade, and a 27-year-old scavenger, Amiru Abdulahi, over alleged burglary and theft of aluminium materials in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, October 30, 2026, following a distress call received by the Divisional Officer of Onireke Division, SC Jinadu Okikiola, from the Chairman of Ayodapo Peace Land Community Development Association (CDA), Shonekan Town.
The CDA chairman had alerted the Corps that suspected thieves had been apprehended within the community, although one of them reportedly escaped during the initial confrontation.
According to a statement issued by the Assistant Commander of Corps and Director of Information and Public Relations, So-Safe Corps, Adegunwa Adegbuyi, the Divisional Officer, accompanied by the Operations Officer, ASC Taofeek Omidiran, immediately proceeded to the scene.
The statement explained that after the first suspect was taken to the affected property for assessment and documentation, he disclosed that his accomplice had escaped.
The officers subsequently devised an intelligence-led operation, using the first suspect’s mobile phone to contact the fleeing accomplice under the pretence that his associate had been released and needed assistance to return home.
The operation was extended to the Okungbolu area, where officers and community members maintained discreet surveillance while awaiting further information.
About an hour later, the second suspect reportedly contacted his accomplice and disclosed that he was at KA Fueling Station, Ogbayo.
Acting on the information, the Operations Officer and the first suspect proceeded to the location on a motorcycle, where the latter identified his accomplice, leading to his immediate arrest.
Both suspects were subsequently taken to the Onireke Division for interrogation.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly admitted that they had previously visited the community to remove aluminium window materials from the property, taking advantage of the relatively quiet environment during working hours and the surrounding bushes.
They reportedly confessed that they returned on October 30 to remove the remaining materials, which they intended to sell.
A search of the second suspect’s sack allegedly revealed a pair of scissors and a side-cutting plier, which he identified as tools used in cutting and removing aluminium materials.
The State Commander of So-Safe Corps, Cmdr. (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, commended the officers for their prompt response, intelligence-led operation and collaboration with community members, which led to the arrest of both suspects.
Ganzallo also urged residents and CDA chairmen, particularly in surrounding communities, to clear bushes and overgrown vegetation and maintain clean environments to discourage criminals from using such places as hiding spots.
The two suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ifo Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution. The recovered aluminium materials and other exhibits were also transferred to the police.
