Police arrest six in Ogun criminal crackdown

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested six suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, generators, and mobile phones during a series of intelligence-led operations across Abeokuta, Wasimi, and Ibafo areas of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Babaseyi stated that the operations carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics unit and Ibafo Division led to the dismantling of suspected criminal networks involved in illegal possession of firearms, theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

According to him, the suspects were identified as Afisu Awesu, Bala Aminu, Moruf Sodiq, also known as “Okiki”, Mumuni Amodu, alias “Stone”, Abayomi John, alias “Ibafo”, and Adeboye Ojesina.

Babaseyi said exhibits recovered during the operations included a pump-action rifle, a locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges, one expended cartridge, five generators and nine Android phones suspected to have been stolen.

The police spokesperson explained that operatives of the VCRU, acting on intelligence on May 30, arrested Sodiq for his alleged involvement in a generator theft syndicate operating within Abeokuta and its environs.

He said the suspect subsequently led detectives to Amodu, who was identified as a receiver of stolen items.

“The suspect promptly led operatives to Mumuni Amodu, alias ‘Stone’, identified as the receiver of stolen property. A swift search of the premises led to the recovery of four Elepaq generators, one Sumec Fireman generator, and nine Android mobile phones suspected to have been recently stolen,” Babaseyi added.

He noted that investigators later arrested Abayomi John, a motorcyclist allegedly used by members of the syndicate to transport suspects during operations.

In a separate operation, Babaseyi noted that SWAT operatives arrested 58-year-old Ojesina on June 12 over alleged unlawful possession of firearms and threats to residents in Wasimi and neighbouring communities.

He stated that a search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, a pump-action rifle and ammunition.

“A prompt search led to the recovery of one locally fabricated pistol, one pump-action rifle, two live cartridges, and one expended cartridge.

“The suspect initially denied ownership but later made a statement claiming he recovered the pistol within the area and discharged a round to test its functionality, while also alleging the pump-action rifle was handed over to him by an unidentified individual currently being trailed by operatives,” Babaseyi noted.

The PPRO further disclosed that operatives attached to Ibafo Division arrested Awesu on June 13 while allegedly attempting to steal a forklift engine component from a site in Igbeti Sote Village via Ibafo.

According to him, subsequent investigations revealed that stolen forklift tyres had earlier been sold to Aminu, who was later arrested as a suspected receiver of stolen property.

“Further rapid investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier stolen forklift tyres from the same location and disposed of the same to Bala Aminu of Kara, Ibafo.

“Acting without delay, detectives arrested Bala Aminu as the alleged receiver of stolen property,” the statement added.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects linked to the cases, while those arrested would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives involved in the operations and reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing.

The development comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies to tackle violent crimes, kidnapping, cultism, and armed robbery across Ogun State.

PidomNigeria Metro reports that the Ogun State Police Command has in recent months, intensified raids, stop-and-search operations and intelligence-based investigations, leading to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists in different parts of the state.