Operatives of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, So-Safe Corps, have arrested two suspects over alleged burglary and theft of aluminium materials in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The suspects, identified as Bolaji Onifade, 67, a land agent, and Amiru Abdulahi, 27, a scavenger, were arrested at Shonekan Town, Ayodapo Peace Land CDA.
Spokesperson of the Corps, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, the arrest followed a distress call received at about 11:45 a.m. on Friday, by the Divisional Officer of Onireke Division, SC Jinadu Okikiola, from the Chairman of Ayodapo Peace Land CDA.
The CDA Chairman had alerted the Corps that suspected thieves were apprehended in the community, with one of them escaping during the initial confrontation.
Acting on the information, the Divisional Officer, accompanied by the Operations Officer, ASC Taofeek Omidiran, proceeded to the scene where they met one of the suspects.
The suspect reportedly disclosed that his accomplice had escaped, prompting the Divisional Officer to devise a plan to lure the fleeing suspect.
In a coordinated operation, the Divisional Officer used the first suspect’s mobile phone to contact the second suspect, instructing him to claim he had been released and needed help to return home.
About an hour later, the second suspect called back and disclosed that he was at KA Fueling Station, Ogbayo.
The Operations Officer and the first suspect then proceeded to the location on a motorcycle, maintaining the appearance of an ordinary journey, where the second suspect was identified and arrested.
Both suspects were secured and taken to the division for interrogation.
During questioning, they reportedly admitted to having earlier removed aluminium window materials from the property, taking advantage of the quiet environment during working hours and the surrounding bush.
They further confessed that they returned on October 30 to remove the remaining materials for sale.
A sack belonging to the second suspect was found to contain scissors and a pair of side-cutting pliers, which he allegedly identified as tools used for the operation.
The State Commander, Ganzallo, commended the officers for their prompt and intelligence-led response and collaboration with community members.
He urged residents and CDA chairmen to clear bushes and maintain clean surroundings to eliminate hiding places for criminals.
The suspects and recovered exhibits have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Ifo Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and prosecution.
