Police arrest cult leader, foil robbery, recover stolen property

…CP Ojajuni says Ogun remains unsafe for criminals

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspected cult leader, foiled an armed robbery operation and recovered stolen property in separate operations across the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the operations were carried out in Mowe, Ago-Iwoye and Warewa areas through intelligence-led policing.

Babaseyi said operatives of the Mowe Division arrested a 26-year-old suspected leader of the Eiye Confraternity following intelligence reports that the group was planning an initiation exercise to recruit new members.

According to him, police surveillance and proactive deployment led to the suspect’s arrest and the disruption of the planned initiation exercise.

He added that the suspect allegedly confessed to his leadership role and involvement in cult-related activities during interrogation.

In another operation, operatives of the Ago-Iwoye Division arrested a suspected motorcycle robber after he and an accomplice allegedly attacked a commercial motorcyclist along the Ita-Merin area of the town.

The police spokesman said the suspects, posing as passengers, reportedly used a hammer to assault the rider before dispossessing him of his motorcycle.

He explained that residents apprehended one of the suspects after the incident, while police officers intervened to prevent him from being lynched by an angry mob.

“The stolen motorcycle and the hammer used in the attack were recovered as exhibits,” Babaseyi stated.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects specialised in targeting commercial motorcyclists on isolated routes and stealing their motorcycles.

The command also said detectives attached to the Warewa Division arrested a suspect over the unlawful disposal of a rented 10KVA generator valued at ₦650,000.

According to the statement, the generator was allegedly diverted and sold for ₦15,000 before detectives traced the suspect to Kara-Isheri, where he was found dismantling the equipment.

Some parts of the generator were recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects linked to the crime.

Commending the operatives for their professionalism and vigilance, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and crime prevention.

“Ogun State remains unsafe for criminals,” the commissioner said, urging residents to continue supporting the police with credible information.