CITIZENS COMPASS—There was jubilation in the Ifo area of Ogun State as Police in the State have arrested the leader of a notorious armed robbery syndicate.
The operation carried out by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command was based on technical intelligence, at about 0040 hours in the Oloshe area on Saturday, 1st November 2025.
It led to the arrest of one Lekan Annuoluwapo, male, aged 32 years, and his female companion, Ajoke Kareem, female, aged 33 years, who had been terrorizing residents of Agosi, Old Bank Area, Olomu Road, Oju-Sango, Folam, Oloshe Road, Ikorita, and Ajowa communities in Ifo axis.
Two robbery cases have been directly linked to the syndicate. On 17th October 2025, at about 0630 hours, two armed men attacked a woman who was sweeping the church premises in preparation for morning prayers and dispossessed her of a handbag containing an unspecified amount of money. One Wale Adeleye, who later confessed to committing the robbery alongside Lekan Anuoluwapo with the use of a locally made pistol was arrested.
Similarly, on 25th October 2025, at about 0300 hours, armed robbers attacked a resident at gunpoint and carted away valuables, including a power bank, an Infinix phone and a POS machine. The victim was shot in the chest when he raised the alarm during the attack. The robbers fled the scene, abandoning a locally made pistol with an empty cartridge. The victim identified Lekan Annuoluwapo as the suspect after his arrest. The suspect mentioned one Akpomoka Gabriel a.k.a. Akuru, aged 36, residing at Ogba-Iyo, Ijoko-Ota, as his principal accomplice in the series of robberies. Akpomoka Gabriel was also apprehended. His arrest triggered spontaneous jubilation across Ijoko and Ogba-Iyo neighborhoods, Residents expressed relief over the breakthrough in curbing incessant armed robbery attacks in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, while commending the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.
He further instructed the Area Commanders of Sango-Ota and Ifo to reinforce security measures at identified flashpoints throughout the “Ember Months” to deter criminal activities and ensure safety of lives and property.
The Ogun State Police Command reassures the good people of the State of its unwavering commitment to mopping up light arms and dismantling criminal networks in all our communities.
