Ogun police arrest cult leader, robbery suspect, recover stolen property

Crime Diary

ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a series of operational successes with the arrest of a suspected cult leader, an armed robbery suspect and an alleged receiver of stolen property in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

The command said the operations, carried out in Mowe, Ago-Iwoye and Warewa, also led to the disruption of a planned cult initiation exercise, the recovery of a stolen motorcycle and the retrieval of parts of a 10KVA generator valued at ₦650,000.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the command said the breakthroughs reflected its proactive and intelligence-driven approach to crime prevention and law enforcement.

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According to the statement, operatives of the Mowe Division arrested 26-year-old Ewebiyi Afeez, identified as a leader of the Eiye Confraternity operating within the area.

The police said the arrest followed credible intelligence indicating that the group was planning an initiation exercise aimed at recruiting new members and expanding its activities.

“Through sustained surveillance and proactive deployment, operatives successfully arrested the suspect and disrupted the planned cult initiation exercise before it could be executed,” the statement said.

The suspect reportedly confessed to his leadership role and involvement in cult-related activities during interrogation and has been transferred for further investigation and prosecution.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Ago-Iwoye Division foiled an armed robbery attack involving a commercial motorcyclist along the Ita-Merin axis of the town.

Police said the victim was attacked on June 16 by two passengers who allegedly struck him with a hammer, inflicting injuries, before making away with his motorcycle.

One of the suspects, identified as Segun Ona Anjo, 32, was apprehended after residents pursued and intercepted him following a distress alert.

Police officers who responded to the scene prevented an attempted mob action against the suspect and restored order.

The stolen motorcycle and the hammer allegedly used in the attack were recovered as exhibits.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects operated as part of a network targeting commercial motorcyclists along isolated routes, using hammers and other weapons to dispossess victims of their motorcycles.

The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplice and dismantle the criminal network.

Meanwhile, detectives attached to the Warewa Division arrested Umar Sulaiman over the alleged diversion and illegal disposal of a 10KVA generator rented for legitimate business purposes.

The generator, valued at ₦650,000, was reportedly sold for ₦15,000 before police traced parts of the equipment to Kara-Isheri.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested while dismantling the generator into parts, some of which were recovered as exhibits.

Investigators believe the suspect may be linked to a wider network involved in similar fraudulent activities involving rented equipment.

Commenting on the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism and swift response of the officers involved.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and sustained pressure on criminal elements across the state.

Ojajuni also assured residents that Ogun State would remain hostile to criminals and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.