Operatives of the Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps popularly known as ‘So-Safe Corps’ have arrested two suspects over alleged conspiracy burglary and theft of aluminium materials from a property in Shonekan Town Ayodapo Peace Land CDA 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 after the Divisional Officer of Onireke Division SC Jinadu Okikiola received a distress call at about 11:45am on Friday October 30 2026.
A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations So-Safe Corps Assistant Commander of Corps Adegunwa Adegbuyi said the incident was reported by the Chairman of Ayodapo Peace Land CDA who alerted the Corps that suspected thieves had been apprehended within the community although one of them reportedly escaped during the initial confrontation.
He said ‘Acting promptly on the information the Divisional Officer SC Jinadu Okikiola accompanied by the Operations Officer ASC Taofeek Omidiran proceeded to the scene.
‘On arrival the officers met one of the suspects and took him to the affected property for on-the-spot assessment and documentation. The suspect reportedly disclosed that his accomplice had escaped. Thereafter the Divisional Officer asked him to contact and persuade his accomplice.
‘In a carefully coordinated operation the Divisional Officer used the first suspect’s mobile phone to establish contact with the fleeing accomplice. The suspect was instructed to tell his accomplice that he had been released and needed help returning home.
‘The operation was subsequently extended to a location around Okungbolu a community not far from the scene of the crime where officers and community members maintained discreet surveillance while awaiting further information.
‘About an hour later the second suspect reportedly contacted his accomplice and disclosed that he was at KA Fueling Station Ogbayo. Acting on the information the Divisional Officer directed the Operations Officer and the first suspect to proceed towards the location on a motorcycle while maintaining the appearance of an ordinary journey.
‘On reaching the fueling station the first suspect reportedly identified his accomplice leading to the immediate arrest of the second suspect. The Divisional Officer and other officers then arrived at the location secured both suspects and returned them to the division for further interrogation.
‘During questioning the two suspects reportedly admitted that they had previously visited the community to remove aluminium window materials from the property. According to their statements they had taken advantage of the relatively quiet environment during working hours and the surrounding bush to remove a substantial quantity of aluminium materials which they intended to sell.’
‘They further reportedly admitted returning on 30 October 2026 to remove the remaining materials for sale.
‘A sack belonging to the second suspect a scavenger was also reportedly found to contain a pair of scissors and a side-cutting plier. The suspect allegedly identified the items as tools he used to cut and remove aluminium materials during such operations.’
The State Commander of So-Safe Dr Soji Ganzallo commended the officers of Onireke Division for their prompt response intelligence-led approach and effective collaboration with community members which led to the arrest of both suspects.
He also urged residents and Community Development Association (CDA) chairmen particularly in surrounding communities to clear bushes and overgrown vegetation and to keep their surroundings clean and tidy.
He noted that proper environmental maintenance could help eliminate potential hiding places for criminals and improve community safety.
The two suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force Ifo Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and appropriate legal action. The recovered aluminium materials and other relevant exhibits were also handed over to the Police.