The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 16 suspects and recovered stolen vehicles, illegal petroleum products and vandalised telecommunications equipment in a series of operations conducted under its ongoing “Operation KOSAYE.”
The operations, carried out between July 12 and July 21, 2026, targeted offences including illegal petroleum product dealings, vandalism of critical national infrastructure, burglary, house-breaking, theft, defilement and vehicle hijacking.
The suspects were identified as Kabiru Afolabi, 51; Nnabike Uzolo, 26; Chino Mgbenya, 28; Hammed Olanrewaju; Emmanuel Victor; Mathew Mark, 20; Sodiq Raji, 32; Zubby Nzube, 28; Adeyemi Omoyajuowo, 30; Chimezie Iwuanya, 35; Saliu Akinwande, 50; Ayomide Odufuwa, 27; Adura Adebanjo, 26; Samuel Sunday, 25; Bashiru; and Muhammed.
Confirming the arrests on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the operations were conducted on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s intelligence-led policing strategy.
Babaseyi said operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit on July 21 busted a suspected diesel bunkering syndicate at Abule-Iroko in Sango, leading to the arrest of Kabiru Afolabi.
According to him, exhibits recovered from the scene included four drums containing suspected Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), 13 jerry cans of 25 litres each filled with suspected diesel, a pumping machine and a generator allegedly used for the illegal operation.
He added that detectives attached to the Ota Division, acting on credible intelligence on July 12, arrested Nnabike Uzolo and Chino Mgbenya while allegedly vandalising telecommunications mast cables at Ten Ten Street, Mine, Ota.
In another operation on July 21, detectives from the Idanyin Division arrested Hammed Olanrewaju and Emmanuel Victor over a burglary at a commercial establishment, while part of the stolen property was recovered from a receiver’s shop.
The command also recovered a stolen Bajaj Boxer motorcycle following the arrest of 20-year-old Mathew Mark by detectives attached to the Ajuwon Division after an investigation into a theft reported on July 3.
Similarly, forensic tracking of a stolen mobile phone led detectives from the Agbado Division to arrest Sodiq Raji, whose interrogation resulted in the apprehension of Zubby Nzube, Adeyemi Omoyajuowo and Chimezie Iwuanya in connection with a house-breaking incident.
Babaseyi further disclosed that detectives at the Agbado Division arrested Saliu Akinwande on July 21 over allegations of defiling an 11-year-old girl.
He said the victim was immediately taken for medical examination and treatment, while the suspect was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation and prosecution.
The police spokesman also said operatives attached to the Ijebu Imushin Division recovered a mini truck conveying aluminium doors and window frames after armed hoodlums allegedly hijacked it along the Benin/Ore Expressway on July 19.
According to him, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby forest on sighting the police, while efforts are ongoing to arrest them.
In a separate operation, officers attached to the Atan Ijebu Division recovered an abandoned bus on July 21 following credible information from members of the public. The vehicle has been kept in police custody pending identification of its rightful owner.
Babaseyi added that detectives from the same division arrested Ayomide Odufuwa, Adura Adebanjo, Samuel Sunday, Bashiru and Muhammed in separate burglary and house-breaking operations conducted between July 13 and July 21.
He said investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal syndicates, noting that some of the suspects had already been charged to court.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining Operation KOSAYE through intelligence-driven policing, regular patrols and community partnership.
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