The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects and recovered three firearms, 25 ATM cards, two suspected stolen vehicles, mobile phones and electrical materials during a series of operations across the state.

The operations, conducted over an 11-day period, also led to the impoundment of eight vehicles for allegedly obstructing traffic, according to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.

Babaseyi, in a statement made available to journalists, said detectives attached to the Owode-Egba Division arrested two suspects, Rasheed Abdul and Saula Meshinoye, after recovering a stolen commercial TVS motorcycle at Mokoloki village on September 17.

He said the motorcycle was reportedly stolen before a complaint was lodged on September 16, adding that a third suspect, identified as Saheed, remained at large.

In a separate operation on September 19, officers from the Olorunda Division intercepted three men on Ayetoro Road who were allegedly transporting stolen electrical materials on a motorcycle.

Two suspects, Mutiu Gafar, 19, and Fatai Obasanmi, 37, were arrested, while the third, identified as Tosin, escaped.

The police said the recovered items included bundles of electrical wiring, a change-over electrical box and a circuit-breaker box, which were allegedly stolen from a nearby residence.

Similarly, the command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team arrested three men — Olamide Ayandele, 30; Tope Samuel, 40; and Ayo Peter Ojo, 30, on September 21 after intercepting an unregistered tricycle and a TVS motorcycle in the Dalemo area of Ota.

Police said preliminary investigations linked the suspects to alleged vehicle theft around the Ijoko axis, while efforts were underway to identify other persons who may have been involved.

On September 22, officers of the Igbesa Division arrested Ameachine Anthony, 45, over an alleged N2.5 million fraud and recovered 25 ATM cards and several mobile phones.

According to Babaseyi, preliminary investigations indicated an alleged scheme involving utility bills and newly acquired SIM cards obtained through associates to facilitate the opening of bank accounts.

He said the ATM cards linked to the accounts were subsequently allegedly collected and used for fraudulent transactions.
Anthony and the recovered exhibits were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

Also on September 22, SWAT officers arrested Peter Olanrewaju, 34, following information about a suspected cult-related gathering.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Adebayo Sodiq, 36, and the recovery of a pump-action rifle and two locally made pistols.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding possession of the firearms and identify other persons connected with the case.

In Ijebu-Ode, detectives from the Area Crime Office recovered a vehicle reportedly taken from its owner and arrested Olatunji Olalekan following what the command described as discreet investigation, intelligence gathering and tracking.

The vehicle was secured as an exhibit while investigations continued.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Ibara Custodial Centre, Abeokuta, arrested a woman, Shobowale Balikis, for allegedly attempting to smuggle ethanol into the facility.

Balikis was intercepted at about 3:50 p.m. on September 26 during a routine search after officials discovered ethanol concealed inside a bottled-water pack and disguised as drinking water intended for an inmate.