Police in Ogun State have arrested six suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, generators and mobile phones in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting criminal activities across Abeokuta, Wasimi and Ibafo, authorities said Wednesday.
The arrests followed coordinated operations by the Ogun State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit and the Ibafo Division, according to a statement issued by police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
Those arrested were identified as Afisu Awesu, Bala Aminu, Moruf Sodiq, also known as “Okiki,” Mumuni Amodu, known as “Stone,” Abayomi John, known as “Ibafo,” and Adeboye Ojesina.
Police said officers recovered a pump-action rifle, a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, one spent cartridge, five generators and nine Android mobile phones believed to be stolen.
In one operation, VCRU operatives acting on intelligence arrested Sodiq on May 30 for his alleged role in a generator theft syndicate operating in Abeokuta and surrounding communities.
Investigators said Sodiq later led officers to Amodu, who is suspected of receiving stolen property. A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of four Elepaq generators, one Sumec Fireman generator and nine Android mobile phones suspected to have been recently stolen.
Police also arrested John, a motorcyclist accused of providing transportation and logistical support to members of the syndicate during theft operations.
The suspects remain in custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the network, police said.
In a separate operation on June 12, SWAT operatives arrested Ojesina, 58, over allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and using weapons to intimidate residents in Wasimi and neighboring communities.
A search following his arrest led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, a pump-action rifle, two live cartridges and one spent cartridge.
Police said Ojesina initially denied ownership of the weapons but later claimed he found the pistol in the area and fired a round to test it. He also alleged that the pump-action rifle had been given to him by an unidentified individual who is being tracked by investigators.
Meanwhile, detectives attached to the Ibafo Division uncovered an alleged vehicle parts theft network following a complaint received on June 13 regarding theft at a site in Igbeti Sote Village near Ibafo.
According to police, officers intercepted Awesu while he was allegedly attempting to steal a forklift engine component with an accomplice who escaped the scene.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly stolen forklift tires from the same location and sold them to Aminu, who was subsequently arrested for allegedly receiving stolen property.
Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle the remaining members of the network.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the officers involved in the operations, praising their professionalism and swift response.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and pledged sustained efforts to combat crime across the state.
“The command remains committed to rapid, intelligence-driven policing and sustained pressure on criminal elements to ensure they have no space to operate within Ogun State,” the statement said.
