…recover vehicles, live cartridges

Police in Ogun State have arrested two suspected armed robbers, Mohammed Adeniyi Usman alias ‘Mandela’ and Abiodun Ogunojukan alias ‘Ilasa’ and recovered three stolen vehicles from them in the Ifo and Sango areas of the state.

The suspects, 48 year-old Mandela and 38 year-old Ilasa were arrested on May 10, 2026.

Their arrest followed a sustained intelligence-led investigation into an earlier reported case of armed robbery and vehicle snatching within the Divisions’ Areas of Responsibility.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed this to newsmen in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday.

Babaseyi said that based on the investigation the operatives of Ifo and Sango Division led by the Divisional Police Officers, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi (Ifo) and CSP Idowu G. Olatunji (Sango) bursted the criminal hideout in Adeleye Area, Itele, Ota, where stolen vehicles were 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.”

“A search of the premises led to the recovery of one Toyota Corolla belonging to a complainant, one Toyota Venza allegedly stolen at gunpoint on 26th April 2026 at Ilese-Awo, Abeokuta, and one Honda Crosstour reportedly snatched during a separate armed robbery operation at Ijoko, Ota.” he said.

The PRO said that initial investigations indicate the suspect belongs to a larger criminal network responsible for armed robbery and vehicle theft activities across Ogun State and other areas.

He said that, based on further intelligence, operatives on May 11, 2026, at about 5:00 p.m., traced and arrested another suspect, Ilasa, at Sango-Ota Under Bridge.

Babaseyi said that suspect admitted his role in the commission of the crime and assisted the police with useful information to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen vehicles.

He mentioned exhibits recovered from the suspects to include, the three stolen vehicles and two live cartridges, foreign currencies, one So-Safe Corps uniform, one MP3 sound system, and one plasma television.

The Police Spokesperson said that all the recovered exhibits have been properly documented and secured and case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCIID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further discreet investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and intelligence-led policing approach to nab the suspects, insisting that the Command is committed to the protection of lives and property and the sustained clampdown on criminal elements across the state.