Police arrest 10 suspects for kidnap, armed robbery in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has announced the successful apprehension of five more suspects linked to a notorious gang involved in conspiracy, kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery in various parts of the state.

Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alamutu, made the disclosure on Friday, stating that the arrests follow the earlier capture of two gang members on July 29, 2024, who reportedly confessed to a series of heinous crimes.

The suspects, identified as Chukwuma Bartholomew and Igwe Monday, led police operatives to a forest in Ijebu-Igbo, where the remains of some of their victims were discovered in shallow graves.

The police have now arrested the remaining five members of the gang, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to ten. All the suspects have reportedly made confessional statements and will soon be charged to court.

CP Alamutu provided a detailed account of the gang’s criminal activities, which have terrorized residents and travelers along the Ijebu-Igbo axis. On July 28, 2023, the gang allegedly invaded the home of one Raheem Azeez in Ojowo, Ijebu-Igbo, where they robbed him and his wife, Raheem Afolashade, of their valuables.

The gang later targeted another victim, Oluwaseun Oworu Samuel, shooting him through a window before robbing him of his POS machine, recharge cards, cash, and other valuables. Samuel was taken to Babcock University Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on August 4, 2023.

The gang’s reign of terror continued on October 2, 2023, when they kidnapped 17-year-old Elizabeth Adeniran from her home in Egbe, Oke Super, Ijebu-Igbo. Despite collecting a ransom of N3.1 million, the kidnappers killed Elizabeth and dumped her body in a well at Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo.

In another gruesome incident on November 11, 2023, the gang stormed the residence of Professor Julius Niyi Benedict, the traditional ruler of Aparaki Ijebu, robbing him and his wife of their phones and valuables. They shot the traditional ruler and kidnapped his wife, who later managed to escape.

The gang’s criminal activities escalated on November 23, 2023, when they kidnapped one Ogunyemi Femi from his residence in Ijebu-Igbo. Despite receiving a ransom of N3 million, the gang killed Femi and buried his body in a shallow grave in Japara Forest, Ijebu-Igbo.

The suspects’ crimes extended into 2024, with a February 27 incident where they kidnapped and robbed Adedayo Kehinde Temitayo at his home in Ijebu Ode. Although the victim managed to escape from a well where he was thrown, the gang continued their operations, kidnapping and killing another victim, Oladokun Bolanle, in March 2024 after collecting a ransom.

The police also disclosed the recovery of several exhibits, including a blue Tecno Camon phone and three expended cartridges.

The ten suspects, including Chukwuma Zainab, a female member of the gang, are now in police custody and will face charges for their alleged involvement in the string of violent crimes that have plagued Ogun State.

CP Alamutu assured the public that the police remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and will continue to pursue justice for the victims of these heinous acts.