In response to the recent wave of robbery attacks and violence in parts of Ogun State, particularly at Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, the Ogun State Police Command has made significant progress. Five additional suspects have been apprehended, and two stolen Lexus cars, taken during the recent robbery incidents, have been successfully recovered.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, provided details on the security developments during a press briefing on Wednesday. The incidents in question involved armed robbers targeting Ipara, Isara, and Ode Remo communities, where students from Gateway Polytechnic reside. These criminals robbed and shot at some students during their criminal activities.
Commissioner Alamutu revealed that the Remo North Division of the Police Command received a distress call on December 2, 2023, at around 3 am, reporting armed robbers wreaking havoc in the community. In response, the Divisional Police Officer and his team engaged the criminals in a gunfire exchange.
During the confrontation, the armed robbers, in an attempt to escape, shot at four students walking along the road. They also seized a Lexus car at gunpoint from another student. Unfortunately, one of the gunshot victims succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital, while the other three were treated and discharged.
The Commissioner stated that police efforts led to the tracking of the stolen Lexus car to the Oke Itoku area of Abeokuta, the state capital, where it was successfully recovered. Additionally, another Lexus car, which the gang had snatched in the Ajuwon area of the state, was also retrieved.
Further investigations and intelligence gathering by the police resulted in the arrest of several members of the gang. Meanwhile, a member of a different gang involved in robbing people of their phones at gunpoint was apprehended. This individual had initially escaped into the bush upon the arrival of the police but was later located with the assistance of local residents.
To enhance security in the affected area, Commissioner Alamutu disclosed that approximately eight police patrol teams are now operating within the region. The police remain committed to addressing and curbing criminal activities in the state through proactive measures and community collaboration.
