Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ogun State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in two separate operations, dismantling a suspected cattle theft syndicate with the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of six stolen cows, while also thwarting an abduction attempt along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and rescuing the victim unhurt. The successes, announced in a press release issued on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, underscore the command's sustained commitment to intelligence-led policing, rapid response, and proactive crime prevention across the state.
In the first operation, operatives of the Sagamu Division arrested two suspects, Abiodun Kamilu, 35, and Adesanya Segun, 37, recovered six stolen cows, and seized a blue Nissan Cabster bus believed to have served as the syndicate's operational vehicle. The breakthrough followed a distress call received in the early hours of Saturday, July 25, 2026, reporting that suspected cattle thieves had invaded a cow yard in the Maskoli Area of Sagamu and stolen seven cows. Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately mobilised and commenced coordinated patrols around identified exit routes.
Acting on credible information, the operatives intercepted suspicious vehicles along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway. Their swift intervention frustrated the criminal operation, leading to the arrest of the two suspects and the recovery of six of the seven stolen cows, as well as the operational vehicle abandoned during the failed escape. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, recover the remaining stolen cow, and ensure the prosecution of all those connected with the crime. The recovery of the vehicle represents a significant blow to the syndicate's operational capacity, as it removes a key asset used in transporting stolen livestock across state lines.
In a separate operation demonstrating the command's operational readiness, operatives of the Command's Safer Highway Patrol Team on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at about 7:10 p.m., successfully thwarted a suspected abduction attempt at Onigaari along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The operatives, while on routine confidence-building patrol, responded immediately after hearing gunshots from the area. The swift response and tactical presence of the police forced the hoodlums to abandon their criminal mission and flee into the adjoining bush.
The victim was rescued unhurt and escorted to the Ogunmakin Police Post alongside his vehicle for safety and necessary police procedures. Normalcy was immediately restored, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects. The successful thwarting of the abduction attempt highlights the importance of visible policing and rapid response in preventing violent crimes on major highways, which have become hotspots for kidnappings and armed robberies in recent years.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism, courage, and vigilance displayed by the operatives involved in both operations. He stated that the successes reflect the command's enhanced operational capacity and unwavering resolve to respond swiftly to distress calls and decisively confront all forms of criminality. Ojajuni reassured residents that the command remains firmly in control of the security situation across Ogun State and will continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, visibility policing, strategic patrols, and coordinated tactical operations to sustain public peace and safety.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, assuring them that every actionable report will receive prompt attention. He encouraged residents to report suspicious persons or activities through the command's dedicated channels, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line at 0800 000 9111, as well as emergency lines 09164859299 and 09154293464. The appeal for public cooperation reflects the command's recognition that community partnership is essential to effective policing.
The successful operations in Ogun State come amid broader security challenges across Nigeria, where cattle rustling, highway robberies, and kidnappings have become persistent threats. Cattle theft, in particular, has devastated rural economies in the Southwest and North-Central regions, with syndicates often operating across state borders to evade detection. The dismantling of the Sagamu syndicate represents a significant victory for law enforcement and a warning to criminal networks that their activities will not go unpunished. Similarly, the thwarting of the abduction attempt along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a major artery connecting Nigeria's economic capital to the Southwest and beyond, will likely reassure commuters who have grown increasingly fearful of highway kidnappings.
The Ogun State Police Command has demonstrated in recent months a proactive approach to crime prevention, with several similar operations yielding arrests and recoveries. The command's emphasis on intelligence-led policing and rapid response has been credited with reducing crime rates in key areas of the state. However, challenges remain, including the need for more resources, better technology, and improved inter-agency coordination to tackle the root causes of criminality.
As investigations continue into both cases, the police have assured the public that all those responsible will be brought to justice. The recovery of six cows and the seizure of the syndicate's operational vehicle will provide crucial evidence for the prosecution, while the rescue of the abduction victim underscores the life-saving impact of timely police intervention. For residents of Ogun State, these successes offer a measure of reassurance that the police are committed to their safety, even as the broader security environment remains complex and challenging.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments