In a remarkable stride towards curbing criminal activities, the Ogun State Police Command has apprehended a total of 124 suspects for various offenses in the past three months. The Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, announced these significant achievements during a press briefing held at the State Headquarters in Abeokuta on Monday.
Alamutu highlighted the considerable decrease in crime rates across the state, including kidnapping, armed robbery, land grabbing, and sexual offenses, while acknowledging the recent cult-related crisis and murders in Sagamu. He assured the public that the Command remains dedicated to eradicating criminal elements, especially cultists and land grabbers.
Since the last press briefing in July 2023, the Ogun State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has made substantial progress. The key accomplishments include the arrest of suspects, raids on criminal hideouts, and the recovery of a significant number of exhibits.
Foiled Armed Robbery
On October 6, 2023, at approximately 0100hrs, a distress call led police teams to the Majestic Royal Hotel in Sagamu, where suspected armed robbers were operating. A gunfight ensued, resulting in two robbers being fatally wounded. One suspect, Elijah Peter Iliasu, aged 27, was arrested with gunshot injuries. Iliasu confessed to the armed robbery and revealed that the group had come from Ibaban in Oyo State to commit the crime. Several weapons, including one Toyota Venza Car, two locally made double-barrel guns, six live cartridges, and various items belonging to the hotel’s lodgers, were recovered. The case is under investigation.
Arrest of Notorious Motorcycle Snatcher
Shuaibu Isa, aged 21, a resident of Ibadan, Oyo State, was arrested by the Divisional Police Officers of Sagamu on August 20, 2023. Isa confessed to stealing a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number “SGM 557 VQ” and revealed a unique modus operandi, often targeting motorcycles during prayer sessions at the central mosque, Ago-Iwoye. He was caught while attempting to sell one of the stolen motorcycles. The case is under investigation.
Arrest of Armed Robbers
Based on intelligence gathering, officers from the Sango Ota Area Command stormed hideouts in Papalanto, Ewekoro, on September 20, 2023. They arrested Ogunleye Abiodun, aged 27; Oladijo Akeem, aged 31; Ibrahim Mukaila, aged 25; Mohammed Sanni, aged 45; and Ali Mohamadu, aged 40. These suspects confessed to being part of an armed robbery gang responsible for robbing and dispossessing individuals of their vehicles. Weapons and ammunition were recovered, and the case is under investigation.
Arrest of Suspected Cultists/Rapist
On August 29, 2023, an informant reported that a lady had been lured into an apartment and raped by Idris Adewole, aged 27, of Itun-Iraye Street, Ode-Remo. Adewole confessed to the crime and disclosed his affiliation with the notorious Supreme Eiye confraternity. Evidence recovered in the case includes a cut-to-size double-barrel short gun, a live cartridge, and two Samsung phones.
Arrest of Cultists/Murder Suspects/Recovery of Firearms & Ammunition
A combined team of police officers and vigilante groups raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sagamu on September 15, 2023. Sixteen suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Keshinro Sunday, aged 45. Weapons, ammunition, and criminal charms were recovered. In a related incident, Asaiye Omoloja, known as Asa, was arrested on September 17, 2023, with a cut-to-size locally fabricated pistol and live cartridges. Four men were reportedly killed in Aba-Iya Sunday, Ode-remo town, in a suspected rivalry between cult groups. Efforts to arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Massive Crackdown on Cultists Across the State
According to the police, a significant crackdown on cultist activities across Ogun State resulted in multiple arrests in the past month. Several town-specific operations yielded a high volume of suspected cultist arrests, with weapons and charms seized.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, emphasized the commitment of the Ogun State Police Command to maintaining law and order. He encouraged residents to cooperate with law enforcement and urged criminals to renounce their activities. The cases are under investigation, and all those found culpable will be charged to court.
