Police in Ogun State have arrested eight members of an armed robbery syndicate responsible for violent attacks and the hijacking of trailer trucks along the Papalanto–Ilaro and Owode–Idiroko axis of the state.

The police also recovered from the suspects a hijacked trailer truck, 900 bags of cement and a locally made single-barrelled pistol in a coordinated intelligence-driven operation.

The suspects arrested are Mogaji Sodiq (M), also known as “Ogbonṣ”, Adebowale Lekan (M), Ajah Peter (M), Ganiyu Razaq (M), Odeleye Ayoola (M), Egboja Amos (M), Bello Akeem (M), and Olaifa Sunday (M).

They were arrested following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, to operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, to deploy intelligence assets, intensify surveillance, and discreetly track and dismantle the criminal network.

The directive yielded results after detectives embarked on intelligence gathering and surveillance, leading to the successful identification and arrest of the eight key members of the syndicate.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed the development to newsmen in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday, said the suspects were apprehended at different locations across the state.

Babaseyi explained that the suspects were intercepted after conveying the trailer truck, with most of the stolen cement already taken to a warehouse, which was first tracked and recovered by operatives.

“Subsequent operations led to the recovery of their locally made single-barrel pistol. It was further established during investigations that the syndicate had carried out previous criminal operations, with ongoing inquiries unveiling a pattern of organised theft targeting commercial supply chains,” he said.

“Intelligence is currently being exploited to track, locate, and apprehend other fleeing members, while further investigations continue to dismantle their wider criminal network and identify accomplices and logistics channels. The suspects will be charged to court accordingly upon the conclusion of investigations,” he added.

However, CP Ogunlowo reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property across the state, assuring residents and road users that operations targeting organised crime would continue.

He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (General Complaints Line – Toll Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.