Ogun Police arrest two suspects, recover 11 iPhones after hostel robbery

By Anuoluwa Amao

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers following a raid on a student hostel in the Eruku/Agbon area of Ewekoro Local Government Area, recovering 11 iPhones, an HP laptop and other valuables allegedly stolen from victims.

The suspects were reportedly intercepted while attempting to escape from the hostel after allegedly dispossessing students of their belongings and forcing one of the victims to transfer N200,000 into a bank account.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

Police respond to distress call

According to Babaseyi, the incident occurred in the early hours of September 13, when the police received a distress call at approximately 2:40 a.m. reporting an ongoing armed robbery at the student hostel.

He said operatives attached to the Ewekoro Divisional Police Headquarters, led by the Divisional Police Officer, immediately mobilised to the scene.

The police spokesperson explained that the arrival of the officers disrupted the suspects’ escape plan, forcing them to abandon a school bag containing the items allegedly taken from the victims.

“On sighting the police operatives, the suspects abandoned their loot in a school bag and attempted to flee. However, the team pursued and successfully apprehended two suspects,” Babaseyi stated.

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The arrests followed a pursuit by the responding officers, while other suspected members of the gang reportedly escaped from the scene.

11 iPhones, laptop recovered

A search of the abandoned school bag led to the recovery of 11 assorted iPhones, an HP laptop and several clothing items.

The police said some of the recovered property had been identified by victims as belongings taken during the robbery.

The recovery has provided investigators with material evidence as they work to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether additional suspects were involved.

Beyond the stolen electronics, investigators are also examining the alleged financial dimension of the robbery.

N200,000 transfer under investigation

Babaseyi said police investigations established that one of the victims was allegedly compelled to transfer N200,000 into a bank account during the attack.

The identity of the account holder and the circumstances surrounding the transaction are now part of the investigation.

The command said detectives were making efforts to identify and apprehend the owner of the account, while also tracing other members of the suspected gang who escaped.

The alleged forced transfer adds a financial-crime element to the robbery investigation, with detectives expected to examine the transaction and its connection to the suspects.

Detectives inspect crime scene

Following the arrests, police investigators visited the hostel to document evidence and examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged break-in.

According to the command, detectives recorded signs of forced entry at the scene as part of efforts to reconstruct the incident and establish how the suspects gained access to the hostel.

The two suspects and the recovered items have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution.

The transfer is expected to enable investigators to conduct more detailed questioning, examine the recovered property and pursue leads that could help identify other individuals allegedly connected to the robbery.

Police intensify efforts to track fleeing suspects

The Ogun State Police Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the other suspected members of the gang who fled during the police response.

Investigators are also working to establish the identities of the victims, verify ownership of the recovered property and determine the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement in the incident.

The command’s account of the arrests has not established whether the suspects have admitted to the allegations or whether charges have formally been filed in court.

Under Nigerian law, the suspects remain presumed innocent unless found guilty by a competent court.

Commissioner commends operatives

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ewekoro police team for its swift response to the distress call.

Ojajuni said the officers’ vigilance and prompt intervention led to the arrests and recovery of the allegedly stolen items.

The commissioner’s commendation comes as the command continues its investigation into the hostel robbery and its efforts to track down other members of the suspected gang.

The incident has also highlighted the importance of rapid emergency responses in protecting students and residents during late-night security incidents, particularly in areas where hostels and other residential facilities may be vulnerable to criminal attacks.

As investigations continue, police are expected to provide further updates on the suspects, the alleged financial transaction and the search for those still at large.