The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended three suspected members of an armed robbery and vehicle theft network in separate intelligence-led operations carried out in Abeokuta and surrounding communities.
The suspects, identified as Ismaila Israel Sokunbi, aged 38, Kayode Adeyemi, 37, and Kola Taiwo, 55, were arrested in connection with a series of robbery and vehicle theft incidents. Security operatives also recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla during the investigations.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the police, officers attached to the Obantoko Division responded to an emergency call on May 22, 2026, following an attempted robbery at Oniyo Community in the Arokoje area of Obantoko, Abeokuta.
The attackers reportedly targeted a resident who was trying to drive into his compound after opening the gate to his residence.
Babaseyi explained that the victim’s cries for help attracted neighbours, leading to a confrontation that disrupted the robbery attempt. During the confusion, the suspects lost control of the vehicle they were attempting to steal and crashed into a fence.
As security personnel moved in, the suspects abandoned the scene and escaped in another waiting vehicle.
Investigators recovered an Infinix mobile phone and a Wema Bank ATM card that one of the fleeing suspects allegedly dropped during the escape.
The police spokesperson said officers from the Anti-Robbery Squad conducted forensic and telecommunications analysis on the recovered items, which led to the identification of Sokunbi as one of the key suspects. Investigators subsequently linked him to Adeyemi, who was described as the leader of the criminal group.
Sokunbi was arrested on May 26 in the Oke-Jigbo and Isale Abese areas of Abeokuta.
A search of his residence reportedly yielded several items, including a ceiling fan, gas cooker, SIM cards, mechanical tools, suspected charms, cooking pots and a commercial gas-filling hose.
Further investigations by detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran eventually led to the arrest of Adeyemi in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Police said both suspects admitted involvement in the attempted robbery and confessed to being members of a syndicate responsible for stealing vehicles in Abeokuta and neighbouring communities.
In another operation, operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad arrested Taiwo over the theft of a Toyota Corolla that was reported stolen in Osiele on May 18.
Investigators said Taiwo also confessed to stealing a green Toyota Camry during an earlier operation.
The police revealed that efforts are ongoing to track down additional members of the syndicate and recover more stolen vehicles linked to the group.
All three suspects remain in custody and are expected to face prosecution after investigations are completed.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, praised the officers involved for their professionalism and effective use of intelligence in carrying out the operations.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to combat armed robbery, vehicle theft and other criminal activities across the state, while encouraging residents to continue providing useful information to law enforcement agencies.
