Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ogun State Police Command has recorded a series of coordinated operational breakthroughs across different parts of the state following intelligence-led raids and stop-and-search exercises that led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of four illegal firearms alongside 17 rounds of live ammunition.
The operations, carried out in Mowe, Sagamu, and Odeda, were described by the police as part of sustained efforts to clamp down on cultism, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes that continue to pose security concerns in parts of the state. Authorities say the exercises were both proactive and reactive, combining intelligence gathering with routine patrols and tactical interventions.
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the arrests were made in four separate incidents that revealed different dimensions of criminal activity, ranging from suspected cult membership to illegal firearm possession and accidental discharge involving a vigilante member.
In the first incident, which occurred on April 14, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., operatives of the Mowe Division acted on credible intelligence supplied by a member of the public regarding a suspicious individual loitering around Mowe Bus Stop. Acting swiftly on the information, officers moved to the location and arrested a 36-year-old man identified as Opeyemi Anuoluwapo.
A search conducted on the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel pistol, one expended cartridge, and charms concealed in a bag he was carrying. The discovery of the charms alongside the firearm further raised suspicion about the suspect’s alleged involvement in cult-related activities.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity, a group known to be associated with cult-related violence in some parts of southern Nigeria. Police say the admission is now part of ongoing investigations aimed at uncovering possible networks and accomplices linked to the suspect’s activities, as well as determining the extent of his involvement in criminal operations within and outside the area.
The second and third incidents occurred within the Sagamu axis and were carried out by operatives of the Quick Response Squad (QRS), a tactical police unit deployed for rapid intervention in security situations.
On April 17, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m., officers on stop-and-search duty along the Lafarge axis on the Sagamu/Ogijo Road intercepted a Bajaj motorcycle. The rider, identified as 30-year-old Asaye Ajibola, was subjected to a routine search, during which officers reportedly discovered a locally made single-barrel gun loaded with nine cartridges.
The suspect was immediately arrested after he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the firearm. Police officials say the discovery points to the continued movement of illegal weapons through major transport corridors in the state, particularly routes connecting industrial and semi-urban areas.
Barely twenty-four hours later, on April 18, 2026, at about noon, the same Quick Response Squad intercepted another motorcycle along the same Lafarge axis. The rider, a 49-year-old man identified as Adedeji Olufemi, was also subjected to a search.
During the exercise, officers reportedly recovered a locally made double-barrel gun containing eight cartridges. Like the previous suspect, Olufemi was unable to provide a credible explanation for carrying the weapon and was taken into custody immediately. The recovery of two firearms within the same operational corridor in quick succession has raised concerns among security analysts about the possible presence of an active arms distribution network or repeated trafficking routes being exploited by criminals.
The fourth incident occurred later on April 18, 2026, at about 8:13 p.m., in the Sawmill area of Osiele under Odeda Local Government Area. Unlike the earlier arrests involving suspected illegal possession, this case involved a shooting incident linked to a local vigilante member.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident involved a man identified as Mutiu Sadiku, who reportedly discharged a firearm accidentally while returning from his farm. The discharge resulted in injuries to three individuals who were in the vicinity at the time of the incident.
The victims were immediately evacuated to nearby medical facilities where they received emergency treatment. Authorities have confirmed that they are currently in stable condition and responding positively to medical care.
Following the incident, the suspect was arrested, and the firearm involved was recovered through a coordinated effort between the police and operatives of the Amotekun Corps, a regional security outfit operating in the South-West. The collaboration between both security structures was described as crucial in ensuring a swift response and containment of the situation.
All four suspects arrested across the different incidents have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further interrogation and possible prosecution. Police authorities say the cases will be subjected to detailed investigation processes aimed at establishing full circumstances, verifying confessional statements, and identifying possible wider criminal links.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved in the operations, describing their actions as professional, timely, and intelligence-driven. He emphasized that the command remains committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements operating within the state, particularly those involved in cultism, illegal arms possession, and violent crimes.
He further reiterated that intelligence-led policing would continue to form the backbone of the command’s security strategy, especially in addressing emerging threats and preventing the circulation of illegal firearms within communities.
Security experts observing the situation note that the recovery of multiple firearms within a short period underscores the persistent challenge of illegal arms proliferation in Nigeria. Ogun State, in particular, has often been identified as a strategic corridor due to its proximity to Lagos and its role as a major transit route connecting different regions.
The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities. Authorities maintain that community involvement remains essential in sustaining recent operational gains and preventing criminal networks from regrouping.
The command has also made available several emergency contact lines, encouraging the public to provide timely information that could assist in preventing crimes before they occur.
As investigations continue, attention now shifts to the broader implications of the arrests, particularly the possibility of coordinated arms movement across the affected areas and the role of intelligence gathering in disrupting such networks before they escalate into larger security threats.
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