May 01, (THEWILL) — The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a cross-border car-snatching syndicate with the arrest of three key suspects: Hammed Olarewaju, Adedokun Ayinde, and Adedokun Adewusi.
During the intelligence-led operation, detectives from the Anti-Robbery Squad recovered a fabricated pistol and three stolen vehicles, including a 2017 Lexus RX 350 and a Toyota Sienna, linked to robberies across Ogun, Lagos, and Abuja.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed this to newsmen in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday.
Babaseyi said that acting on credible intelligence, the detective swung into action and embarked on a discreet and intelligence-led investigation.
He said that the investigation led to the arrest of Hammed Olarewaju, who was found in possession of a suspicious vehicle plate number, and further inquiry led to the arrest of the gang leader, Adedokun Ayinde.
“During the operation, a Toyota Sienna previously stolen was recovered, along with a fabricated pistol believed to have been used by the suspects in the commission of the crimes”, the Police PRO said.
Relatedly, a Toyota Corolla earlier stolen at Ilaro was recovered from one Arowolo Taoreed in Ibadan, Oyo State. Operatives also arrested one Adedokun Adewusi in connection with another armed robbery incident.
Babaseyi said that the investigation led to the recovery of a stolen grey-coloured 2017 Lexus RX 350 F-Sport vehicle, traced to Abuja, and a pistol recovered at Ajah, Lagos State, is also linked to the same criminal network.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are part of a coordinated criminal network involved in vehicle theft and armed robbery activities across Ogun State and neighbouring states”, he added
He said that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen vehicles.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and assured the public of the Command’s continued commitment to crime prevention and public safety.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.
