Police nabs suspected armed robber, recovers gun in Ogun

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command on Thursday arrested 27-year-old Imole Ajayi who was accused of armed robbery from Area 5, Iperin OPIC Estate in the Agbara area of the state.

The police patrol team reportedly picked up the suspect around 8:30 pm on Thursday during a stop-and-search duty on Orita/Idi-Oke Road, Igbesa in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Ajayi is suspected of being a member of a one-chance armed robbery gang using a motorcycle to scout for stranded motorists who may be in distress on the road.

The command’s Spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Friday.

Odutola said that upon searching Ajayi’s bag, a single-barrel shotgun with three live cartridges was found on him but he could not provide a reasonable explanation for having the firearm.

She said, “On October 17, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, the police apprehended a suspected armed robber during a stop-and-search operation on Orita/Idi-Oke Road. Imole Ajayi, a 27-year-old male from Area 5, Iperin Opic Estate, attempted to hide a bag while riding his motorcycle and pretended not to know its contents.

“The police suspected that he may be involved in the activities of “one-chance” armed robbers, who use motorcycles to scout for stranded vehicles on the highway, targeting both commercial and private car owners in distress.

“Upon searching his bag, officers discovered a single-barrel shotgun along with three live cartridges. Ajayi struggled to provide a satisfactory explanation for the firearm’s presence in his possession.

“He further claimed that a person named Samson, also known as Samora, from Omilende, had given him the bag and asserted that it belonged to Samson.”

Odutola said the police are currently working to locate Samson and that the case is set to be referred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta, the state capital, for further investigation.