Police bust illegal diesel syndicate, arrest 16 suspects in Ogun
Ogun State Police Arrest 16 Suspects in Operation KOSAYE
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 16 individuals and recovered various illegal items in conjunction with its ongoing initiative, Operation KOSAYE. The operation took place from July 12 to July 21, 2026, and addressed issues including diesel bunkering, infrastructure vandalism, burglary, defilement, and hijacking.
Among those arrested are Kabiru Afolabi, 51; Nnabike Uzolo, 26; Chino Mgbenya, 28; Hammed Olanrewaju; Emmanuel Victor; Mathew Mark, 20; Sodiq Raji, 32; Zubby Nzube, 28; Adeyemi Omoyajuowo, 30; and Chimezie Iwuanya, 35. Additional arrests included Saliu Akinwande, 50; Ayomide Odufuwa, 27; Adura Adebanjo, 26; Samuel Sunday, 25; and two unidentified individuals known as Bashiru and Muhammed.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrests on Saturday, noting that the operations were conducted under the direction of Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, in line with the Inspector General of Police’s intelligence-led policing framework.
On July 21, police operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit apprehended a suspected diesel bunkering syndicate in Abule-Iroko, leading to the arrest of Afolabi. Authorities recovered four drums of suspected Automotive Gas Oil, 13 jerry cans containing suspected diesel, a pumping machine, and a generator allegedly used in the illegal operation.
Babaseyi detailed several incidents leading to the arrests. On July 12, detectives responded to a tip regarding vandalism at a telecommunications site in Ota, resulting in the arrests of Uzolo and Mgbenya.
On July 21, detectives from the Idanyin Division arrested Olanrewaju and Victor for burglary at a commercial establishment, recovering part of the stolen property. Through diligent investigation following a report on July 3 about a stolen motorcycle, police arrested Mark and recovered the vehicle.
In an incident on July 5, forensic tracking led to the arrest of Raji for breaking and entering, which then led to the apprehension of Nzube, Omoyajuowo, and Iwuanya. On July 21, Raji was also implicated in a case involving the defilement of an 11-year-old girl, and he has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further proceedings.
Police responded to an incident on July 19 involving armed robbers hijacking a truck along the Benin/Ore Expressway. Upon the police arrival, the robbers fled, abandoning the vehicle, which was later recovered.
Additionally, on July 21, officers in Atan Ijebu found an abandoned bus and are verifying the ownership. Between July 13 and 21, other suspects were arrested related to separate burglary incidents.
Babaseyi stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional suspects, while some of those arrested have already been charged.
Commissioner Ojajuni commended the officers for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to continuing Operation KOSAYE through intelligence gathering, patrolling, and community engagement.
