The police command in Ogun State has arrested 10 suspected armed robbery syndicate that specialised in hijacking of articulated vehicles and terrorising Papalanto-Ilaro and Owode-Idiroko axis of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abeokuta.

Mr Babaseyi said that a locally made single-barrel pistol and a hijacked trailer containing 900 bags of cement were recovered from the suspects through coordinated intelligence -driven operation.

He listed the suspects as Mogaji Sodiq (M) a.k.a. “Ogbonṣ,” Adebowale Lekan (M); Ajah Peter (M); Ganiyu Razaq (M); Odeleye Ayoola (M); Egboja Amos (M); Bello Akeem (M); and Olaifa Sunday (M).

Others are John Seun (male, 24 years), alias “Dagrin ” and Olanipekun Ezekiel (male, 35 years), alias “Sharply.”

Mr Babaseyi stated, “The suspects were intercepted and arrested after conveying the trailer truck, with most of the stolen cements having been taken to a warehouse, which was tracked and recovered first by operatives.

“Through sustained intelligence gathering, covert surveillance, and crime pattern analysis, detectives successfully identified and penetrated the syndicate.

Subsequent operations led to the recovery of their locally made single-barrel pistol.

“Intelligence is currently being exploited to track, locate and apprehend other fleeing members. 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.”

Mr Babaseyi said that further investigations continued to dismantle their wider criminal network and identify accomplices and logistics channels.

He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Larne Ogunlowo, directed the operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad, State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, to track and dismantle the criminal network through targeted intelligence-led operations.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property across the state.

He said that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Mr Babaseyi urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the command’s 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.

(NAN)