The police command in Ogun State has arrested two suspected cattle rustlers and recovered a stolen cow, valued at N1.7 million, at the Ifo/Ibogun axis of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrest in a statement made available on Thursday in Abeokuta.

Mr Babaseyi said that the SWAT team, Ogun Police Command, arrested the two suspects following a distress call from a farmer in the Ifo/Ibogun area.

He said that other things recovered from the suspects included an operational vehicle and a knife used in the crime.

The PPRO stated that the incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday when suspected cattle rustlers reportedly invaded a dairy farm located at Omitoro Village via Coker, Ifo/Ibogun, and rustled a cow.

“Upon receiving the distress call, operatives of SWAT acted swiftly and mobilised to the scene for immediate intervention.

“The suspects, who had attempted to flee the farm in a minibus popularly known as ‘Korope,’were intercepted following an alarm raised after their suspicious movements were noticed.

“The prompt intervention led to the arrest of the two suspects. The exhibits recovered include one stolen cow, one knife, and the operational mini bus used in perpetrating the crime,” he said.

Mr Babaseyi said that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects were part of a four-man gang, while two other accomplices escaped into the surrounding bush.

He said that the suspects were currently in custody and investigation was ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.

Mr Babaseyi said that the case would be transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further discreet investigation and prosecution.

He noted that the state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the swift response of the operatives and assured that the command remains resolute in its commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.

Mr Ojajuni advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities through the command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Lines: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.

(NAN)