Police recover six stolen cows, foil suspected kidnap attempt in Ogun

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two suspected cattle thieves, recovered six stolen cows and an operational vehicle, while also foiling a suspected kidnap attempt along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in separate operations across the state.

The operations, carried out by officers of the Sagamu Division and the Command’s Safer Highway Patrol Team between July 25 and 26, 2026, underscore the police’s renewed offensive against criminal activities and rapid response to distress calls.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abeokuta, saying the breakthrough followed intelligence-led operations by the Command.

According to him, the Sagamu Division swung into action after receiving a distress call in the early hours of July 25 that suspected cattle rustlers had invaded a cow yard in the Maskoli area of Sagamu and carted away seven cows.

He said the operatives immediately launched coordinated patrols along identified escape routes and intercepted suspicious vehicles on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway, leading to the arrest of Abiodun Kamilu, 35, and Adesanya Segun, 37.

“The swift intervention frustrated the criminal operation, leading to the arrest of the two suspects and the recovery of six of the seven stolen cows, as well as the operational vehicle abandoned during the failed escape,” Babaseyi said.

He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, recover the remaining stolen cow and prosecute all those connected with the crime.

In another operation, the Command’s Safer Highway Patrol Team on July 26, at about 7:10 p.m., foiled a suspected abduction attempt at Onigaari along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after responding to gunshots heard in the area.

The police spokesperson said the hoodlums fled into a nearby bush on sighting the operatives, abandoning their victim, who was rescued unharmed and escorted, alongside the vehicle, to the Ogunmakin Police Post for safety and necessary police procedures.

Commending the officers for their professionalism and courage, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, said the successful operations reflected the Command’s improved operational capacity and determination to tackle all forms of criminality.

He reassured residents that the police remained on top of the security situation across the state and would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, visibility policing, strategic patrols and coordinated tactical operations to safeguard lives and property.