The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered three stolen vehicles in the Ota area of the state.
The suspects, 48-year-old Mohammed Usman popularly known as ‘Mandela’, and Abiodun Ogunojukan alias ‘Ilasa’, aged 38, are said to be members of a criminal syndicate involved in armed robbery and vehicle snatching within Ogun State and beyond.
DAILY POST learnt that the cars – a Toyota Corolla, one Toyota Venza allegedly stolen at gunpoint on 26th April 2026 at Ilese-Awo, Abeokuta, and one Honda Crosstour – were snatched during an armed robbery operations.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi and made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday said the arrests and recovery were made through a joint operation by the Ifo and Sango divisions, led by the Divisional Police Officers, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi (Ifo) and CSP Idowu G. Olatunji (Sango).
Other items recovered include two live cartridges, foreign currencies, one So-Safe Corps uniform, one MP3 sound system, and one plasma television set.
Babaseyi stated that the command had earlier received a complaint of armed robbery and vehicle snatching within the divisions’ areas of responsibility.
The statement said, “Acting on credible intelligence on Saturday, 10th May 2026, detectives of Ifo Division stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Adeleye Area, Itele, Ota, where stolen vehicles were allegedly concealed.
“On arrival at about 4:00 p.m., operatives sighted the suspected stolen vehicles within the premises and immediately cordoned off the area, laying strategic ambush for the occupants who were not present at the time.
“The operation yielded success at about 10:35 p.m. with the arrest of Mohammed Adeniyi Usman alias “Mandela” ‘M’, aged 48 years. Further intelligence-led operations on Sunday, 11th May 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., led operatives of Ifo and Sango Divisions to Sango-Ota Under Bridge, where another suspect, Abiodun Ogunojukan alias “Ilasa” ‘M’, aged 38 years, was apprehended.”
The police spokesperson noted that on interrogation, Ogunojukan confessed to his involvement in the crimes and assisted the operatives with useful information to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen vehicles.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCIID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further discreet investigation and prosecution,” the statement added.
Reacting, the State Commissioner of Police, lBode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism, intelligence-led policing approach, and swift response.
The CP reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and the sustained clampdown on criminal elements across the State.
