By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Ogun State Police Command has impounded 89 vehicles for number plate violations, foiled an armed robbery operation, recovered a stolen vehicle and two motorcycles, and arrested two robbery suspects in separate operations across the state.

The command said the operations were part of ongoing intelligence-led and preventive policing measures as well as the enforcement of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against vehicles operating without registration plates or with covered, altered or obscured number plates.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the enforcement exercise was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, following the nationwide order by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

According to the statement, coordinated operations conducted across Ogun State led to the interception of 89 vehicles and their drivers for violating the directive, while appropriate administrative and legal actions, including prosecution where necessary, had been initiated against the offenders.

The police also disclosed that operatives of the Ogere Division, working with the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, local vigilantes and members of the community, foiled an armed robbery attack at Akuro Phase I, Ogere Remo, on Thursday.

The hoodlums were said to have invaded a residence and dispossessed occupants of two motorcycles, mobile phones, cash and other valuables before attempting to flee.

The statement said the operatives forced the suspects to abandon the two stolen motorcycles during a coordinated operation, while one suspect, Abdulsalam Adam, was arrested. It added that a knife, an expended cartridge and a broken padlock were recovered as exhibits, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.

In a related operation, police operatives attached to the Ajuwon Division recovered a stolen Toyota Camry after responding to a distress call over an armed robbery incident at Baale Akinosi Area, Ajuwon.

The suspects reportedly fled after abandoning the vehicle during a hot pursuit by the police, while one suspect, Israel Salako, was arrested. The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover other stolen items.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-led policing.

He said, “The Command remains committed to proactive, intelligence-led policing through sustained visibility patrols, strategic stop-and-search operations, prompt response to distress calls, community partnership, and intelligence gathering aimed at preventing crime before it occurs.”

Ojajuni urged motorists to comply with vehicle registration requirements and advised residents to remain security conscious by using designated motor parks and recognised loading points, while encouraging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to assist the police in combating crime.