Police bust armed robbery, car snatching syndicate in Ogun
Three Suspects Arrested for Armed Robbery and Vehicle Theft in Ogun State
Abeokuta, Nigeria — The Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Department has arrested three individuals on charges of armed robbery and vehicle theft in Abeokuta and surrounding areas.
The suspects include 38-year-old Ismaila Israel Sokunbi, 37-year-old Kayode Adeyemi, believed to be the ringleader, and 55-year-old Kola Taiwo.
In a statement released on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed the arrests, which also led to the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla and various items linked to the criminals’ activities.
Babaseyi reported that the initial arrest occurred after a resident attempted to gain access to his home when armed suspects tried to steal his vehicle. The victim’s alarm summoned nearby residents, causing the suspects to flee. In their escape, they lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a fence.
During the incident, they abandoned the stolen vehicle but left behind an Infinix mobile phone and a Wema Bank ATM card, which were subsequently recovered as evidence. Using intelligence gathered from these items, detectives performed a telecommunications analysis, identifying Sokunbi as a principal suspect with connections to Adeyemi in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The arrests took place in the Oke-Jigbo and Isale Abese neighborhoods of Abeokuta. When questioned, the suspects admitted to being members of a syndicate responsible for multiple vehicle thefts throughout Abeokuta and nearby communities. They reportedly specialized in stealing cars by tampering with ignition systems.
In an additional operation, Kola Taiwo was arrested alongside the recovery of another stolen Toyota Corolla. Investigations revealed that Taiwo utilized master keys to access parked vehicles in the Osiele area.
All suspects are currently in custody and will face charges following the completion of investigations. Authorities are continuing efforts to recover more stolen vehicles and apprehend additional members of the syndicate.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, reiterated the command’s commitment to proactive policing and a zero-tolerance approach to violent crime. He urged criminals to cease their unlawful activities or face strict legal consequences while assuring residents of their safety and security in Ogun State.
