THE Ogun State Police Command has apprehended eight suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate responsible for violent attacks and the hijacking of trailer trucks along the Papalanto–Ilaro and Owode–Idiroko routes.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement by the police public relations officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, in Abeokuta.
During a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation, officers recovered a hijacked trailer carrying 900 bags of cement and a locally made single-barrelled pistol.
According to the spokesman, the suspects were intercepted while transporting the stolen trailer.
Most of the stolen cement had been moved to a warehouse, which was first tracked and recovered by police operatives.
“Through sustained intelligence gathering, covert surveillance, and crime pattern analysis, detectives successfully identified and penetrated the syndicate,” the statement said.
The eight suspects arrested include Mogaji Sodiq (a.k.a. “Ogbonṣ”), Adebowale Lekan, Ajah Peter, Ganiyu Razaq, Odeleye Ayoola, Egboja Amos, Bello Akeem, and Olaifa Sunday.
They were apprehended at different locations across the state based on actionable intelligence.
Subsequent operations also led to the recovery of their locally made firearm.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in previous criminal operations targeting commercial supply chains.
Authorities said intelligence efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other fleeing members and dismantle the wider criminal network. The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
In response to the spate of attacks, the state Commissioner of Police directed the Anti-Robbery Squad and the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, to intensify surveillance, deploy intelligence assets, and discreetly dismantle the network through targeted operations.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains committed to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property.
Operations targeting organised crime will continue,” the statement added.
Citizens are urged to report suspicious activity via the command’s emergency lines: 0800 000 9111, 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.