Police bust motorcycle-snatching syndicate in Ogun

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have apprehended three members of a motorcycle-snatching syndicate terrorising the Owode-Egba area in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the arrests on Tuesday, revealed that the suspects were captured after a reported attack on a resident, Rotimi Bajela, along the Shiun-Owode Expressway.

Bajela, a 60-year-old man, informed the police that he was ambushed while riding his Boxer Bajaj motorcycle from Ajura Township toward Ijemo Kukoyi village.

According to his account, the attackers shot at him, but the bullet did not harm him. They then resorted to using a machete, inflicting injuries on his head and neck before robbing him of his motorcycle, money, and mobile phone.

Odutola explained that on October 11, a concerned resident provided a tip-off, leading police operatives to track down the culprits. The suspects, identified as Adegboyega Sarafa, 42; Soliu Bankole, 38; and Sogo Idris, alias Agbara, 46, were arrested on October 14.

During the arrest, the police recovered a locally made gun and the machete used in the attack. Odutola noted that when officers visited Bajela at the hospital, he confirmed that he recognized the suspects and could identify them as his attackers.

The police spokesperson stated that investigations into the case are ongoing.