Police smash cattle theft operation, rescue abduction target in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspected cattle thieves, recovered six stolen cows and prevented a suspected kidnap in separate security operations carried out across the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, announced the successes in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abeokuta.

According to him, officers attached to the Sagamu Police Division acted swiftly after receiving an emergency report that seven cows had been stolen from a cattle enclosure in the Maskoli area of Sagamu during the early hours of Saturday.

The report prompted the police to mount coordinated patrols along routes the suspects were believed to have taken.

Babaseyi said the suspects were eventually intercepted on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, where officers recovered six of the stolen cows. A blue Nissan Cabstar truck, allegedly used to transport the animals, was also seized.

He said detectives were continuing investigations to identify and arrest other members of the gang, recover the remaining cow and ensure everyone linked to the theft is brought to justice.

In another operation on Sunday, officers attached to the command’s Safer Highway Patrol reportedly prevented a suspected abduction at Onigaari along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Babaseyi explained that the patrol team heard gunshots while conducting routine surveillance and immediately moved to the area. Their arrival forced the suspected kidnappers to abandon the operation and escape into a nearby bush.

The intended victim was rescued without injury and taken, together with the vehicle, to the Ogunmakin Police Post for protection and the completion of necessary police procedures.

Babaseyi quoted the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, as praising the officers for their prompt response and professionalism.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and the protection of lives and property.

“The CP reassures residents that the command remains firmly in control of the security situation across the state and will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, visibility policing.”

He also appealed to residents to stay alert and assist security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent and combat crime across Ogun State.