The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended four individuals for allegedly stealing a motorcycle worth N630,000 in the Imeruro area of Atan-Ijebu, Ijebu-North-East Local Government Area, as well as electrical installations, including cables and solar panels, in the Warewa area of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
According to exclusive information gathered on Tuesday, the four suspects were nabbed following separate complaints lodged by the victims.
On Sunday, at approximately 3:30 pm, Bamidele Ogunbowale, a 30-year-old man, was arrested in Atan-Ijebu for allegedly stealing the motorcycle.
On the same day, Edet Esin, Comfort Esin, and Victor Edet were apprehended for breaking into a two-bedroom apartment in Mokore to commit the burglary.
The state command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed Ogunbowale’s arrest in a WhatsApp message, informing reporters that the suspect had initially attempted to purchase the motorcycle from its owner, Olakunle Olagoke, with a promise of making installment payments.
However, after acquiring the motorcycle from Olagoke, the suspect allegedly severed all contact with the owner, according to information obtained from the police.
Attempts by law enforcement to locate Ogunbowale had previously been unsuccessful until he was apprehended by officers from the Atan Divisional Police headquarters on Sunday.
Odutola explained, “At about 3:30 pm, Olakunle Olagoke of the Bena Farm area reported that on May 22, 2022, he bought an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle with chassis number MD2A18AX9MWJ37379 and engine number DUXWMJ31685 and gave it to Bamidele Ogunbowale with an agreement for installment payments totaling N630,000 at a rate of N10,000 weekly.
“Ever since he collected the motorcycle, he absconded, and all efforts to locate him proved abortive. On August 25, 2024, at 3:00 pm, Olagoke received information that Bamidele was sighted in the Imeruro area. The suspect was tracked and eventually arrested, where he confessed to selling the motorcycle and fleeing.”
Odutola added that the police have commenced a thorough investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, the trio of Esin, Esin, and Edet allegedly broke into the two-bedroom flat owned by Olabosipo Olasehinde, stealing an HP laptop, a solar panel, conduit pipes, and all the electrical wiring in the house.
“The suspects were arrested after one Odegbile Idowu, of the Mokore area, reported the crime to the station on Sunday.
The suspects had previously been charged in court for allegedly vandalizing the same building.
However, they were released and then conspired among themselves to steal the items mentioned above, of yet-to-be-estimated value.
The suspects have confessed to their crime and will be charged to court after a thorough investigation.”
The court has adjourned the case until October 10, 2024, for mention.
