Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested 16 suspects for alleged offences ranging from oil theft and vandalism to burglary, house breaking, theft, receiving stolen property and defilement in a series of coordinated operations across the state.
The police also recovered two vehicles, a stolen motorcycle, four drums of suspected Automotive Gas Oil, 13 jerry cans of suspected diesel, a pumping machine, a generator and other exhibits during the intelligence driven raids carried out under the ongoing Operation KOSAYE.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta, saying the successes were recorded through sustained intelligence gathering and strategic policing.
According to him, the first operation led to the arrest of a 51 year old suspect, Kabir Afolabi, at Abule Iroko in Sango on July 21 for alleged involvement in an illegal petroleum products syndicate.
Babaseyi said, “Exhibits recovered during the operation include four drums of suspected Automotive Gas Oil, 13 twenty five litre jerry cans containing suspected diesel, one pumping machine and one generator allegedly used in the illegal operation.”
He added, “Investigation has commenced to apprehend other members of the syndicate and unravel the network behind the illegal activities.”
In another operation, officers attached to the Ota Division arrested Nnabike Uzolo, 26, and Chino Mgbenya, 28, for allegedly vandalising a telecommunications mast cable at Ten Ten Street, Mine, Ota.
“The suspects have been charged to court. The Command is committed to protecting critical national infrastructure and warns that anyone found engaging in acts of vandalism will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Babaseyi stated.
The police also arrested Hammed Olanrewaju and Emmanuel Victor over alleged burglary and receiving stolen items after part of the stolen property was recovered from a receiver’s shop.
Similarly, detectives attached to the Ajuwon Division arrested 20 year old Mathew Mark for allegedly stealing a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle following a report lodged on July 3.
Babaseyi said the suspect remained in custody and would be charged after investigations.
Four other suspects, identified as Sodiq Raji, Zubby Nzube, Adeyemi Omoyajuowo and Chimezie Iwuanya, were also arrested by detectives from the Agbado Division for alleged house breaking and burglary.
He explained that forensic tracking of one of the stolen mobile phones led to the arrest of the first suspect, who subsequently assisted investigators in apprehending the others.
“Some of the stolen property has been recovered, while investigation continues to recover other exhibits and apprehend fleeing accomplices,” he said.
The police further arrested a 50 year old suspect, Saliu Akinwande, over the alleged defilement of an 11 year old girl.
According to the spokesperson, “The victim was immediately taken for medical examination and treatment, while the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, for discreet investigation and prosecution.”
In another development, operatives attached to the Ijebu Imushin Division foiled the hijack of a mini truck conveying aluminium doors and window frames along the Benin Ore Expressway.
“On sighting the police, the hoodlums abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby forest,” Babaseyi said, adding that the truck had since been recovered and returned to its owner while efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Police operatives also recovered an abandoned bus at Atan Ijebu and arrested five additional burglary suspects in separate operations, recovering stolen clothing, household items, bedding materials and other exhibits.
Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, praised their professionalism and dedication to duty.
Ojajuni said the command would sustain the momentum of Operation KOSAYE through intelligence led policing, enhanced visibility patrols, strategic stop and search operations, forensic investigations and stronger collaboration with residents.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information that would aid crime prevention and prompt police response.
“The Command will continue to intensify Operation KOSAYE and other proactive policing strategies to ensure the safety and security of lives, property and critical national assets across Ogun State,” the commissioner said.
