ABEOKUTA — Ogun State police said they dismantled armed robbery and vehicle theft networks in coordinated operations, arresting three suspects including a suspected kingpin and recovering a stolen Toyota Corolla.
The arrests were made by the Anti-Robbery Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, the command said in a news release made available to Journalists on Saturday by the Spokesman of the Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi
According to the statement, operatives from Obantoko Division responded to a distress call on May 22, 2026, at about 9:45 p.m. Armed suspects had attempted to rob a resident of his vehicle in Oniyo Community, Arokoje, Obantoko, Abeokuta, as the victim opened his gate.
The victim raised an alarm and neighbors responded. The suspects lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence. They abandoned it and fled in a standby vehicle, police said. During the escape, one suspect dropped an Infinix phone and a Wema Bank ATM card, which officers recovered.
Telecommunications analysis of the items led investigators to Ismaila Israel Sokunbi, 38, identified as a principal suspect with links to Kayode Adeyemi, 37, the suspected kingpin. Sokunbi was arrested May 26 in the Oke-Jigbo and Isale Abese areas of Abeokuta.
A search of his residence turned up a new Ox ceiling fan, new gas cooker, SIM cards and packs, suspected charms, mechanical tools, a commercial gas-filling hose and cooking pots, police said.
The case was transferred to the Anti-Robbery Squad at SCID Eleweran, which later arrested Adeyemi in Ibadan, Oyo State. Both suspects confessed to the attempted robbery and said they belonged to a syndicate behind multiple vehicle thefts in Abeokuta and nearby communities, police said. They specialized in stealing vehicles by tampering with ignition wiring, according to the release.
Stolen Corolla recovered in separate case
In a second operation, Anti-Robbery Squad detectives arrested Kola Taiwo, 55, and recovered a Toyota Corolla stolen May 18 at Osiele, which had been reported at Odeda Police Station.
Police said Taiwo confessed to several vehicle thefts around Osiele using master keys to access parked vehicles. He also admitted stealing a green Toyota Camry in a previous operation. Efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles and arrest other syndicate members, the command said.
All three suspects remain in custody and will be charged after investigations conclude.
Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the operatives’ professionalism and intelligence-led approach. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and zero tolerance for violent crime and vehicle theft.
Ojajuni warned criminals to desist or face the law, and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
The command provided emergency lines for the public: Gateway Shield toll-free 0800 000 9111 and 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.
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