Ogun Police smash Robbery Syndicate, recover Dangote Truck, 900 bags of Cement

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate linked to violent attacks and the hijacking of trailer trucks along key highways in the state, recovering a stolen Dangote truck, 900 bags of cement and firearms.

The arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation targeting criminal activities along the Papalanto–Ilaro and Owode–Idiroko corridors, which have witnessed repeated attacks on commercial transporters.

According to the police, the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, who ordered operatives of the Anti-Robbery Squad at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, to intensify surveillance and deploy intelligence assets to dismantle the gang.

Through sustained intelligence gathering, covert surveillance and crime pattern analysis, detectives were able to identify and infiltrate the syndicate, leading to the arrest of eight key suspects at different locations across the state.

Those arrested were identified as Mogaji Sodiq, also known as “Ogbonṣ”, Adebowale Lekan, Ajah Peter, Ganiyu Razaq, Odeleye Ayoola, Egboja Amos, Bello Akeem and Olaifa Sunday.

Investigations revealed that the suspects intercepted and hijacked a trailer truck loaded with cement, most of which had already been moved to a warehouse before police tracked and recovered the stolen goods. The truck and 900 bags of cement were successfully recovered during the operation.

Further searches led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel pistol allegedly used by the gang during their operations.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the syndicate had been involved in previous organised robberies, particularly targeting commercial supply chains and goods in transit.

The police disclosed that efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the gang, while investigations continue to uncover the full scope of the syndicate’s operations, including accomplices and logistics channels.

The suspects are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Reaffirming the command’s resolve, the Ogun State Police Command said it remains committed to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and the protection of lives and property across the state.

Residents and road users were urged to report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free number and other designated emergency contacts.