Operatives of the Anti-Robbery Team of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered three locally made pistols and 18 live cartridges in a follow-up operation across Ogun and Lagos states.

The suspects, identified as Adeyinka Onakomaya, 46, and Olayiwola Kehinde, 48, were apprehended for their alleged involvement in armed robbery, carjacking and unlawful possession of firearms.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement on Wednesday, said the breakthrough followed months of sustained intelligence gathering after the recovery of a stolen red Toyota Matrix in April 2026.

According to him, the vehicle was linked to an armed robbery incident reported in April, prompting detectives to expand their investigation, which led them to the hideouts of the suspects.

Babaseyi stated that Onakomaya was tracked to the Babaode area along Idiroko Road, Ota, in Ogun State, while Kehinde was arrested in the Command area of Lagos State.

He disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the two men, alongside other gang members, masterminded the April robbery and were also linked to a series of violent vehicle snatchings in Ota, Iju, Babaode and Atan areas of Ogun State.

“Upon their arrest, a thorough search led to the recovery of three locally made pistols and 18 live cartridges,” the PPRO said.

During interrogation, both suspects reportedly confessed to their roles in several armed robbery operations within the state.

The image maker said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate for prosecution.

He also quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, as commending the operatives for their tenacity and operational efficiency, adding that the recovery and arrests demonstrated the Command’s resolve not to abandon any criminal case.

“The recovery of the firearms and the arrest of key syndicate members underscore the Command’s determination not to leave any criminal investigation incomplete,” he stated.

The CP reassured residents that the Command remained committed to dismantling armed robbery networks and making Ogun State unsafe for criminals, urging members of the public to support the police by reporting suspicious activities.

Five suspected cultists have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command.

Commissioner of Police in charge of the command, Patrick Daaor, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin City.

Daaor said the suspects were arrested in separate operations.

He said one of the suspects, identified as Andrew Friday, 27, was arrested on August 7, 2026, at Akpakpava by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

He added that on August 5, 2026, a distress report was received from Flight Transport Services, Akpakpava, Benin City, after an unknown man abandoned a sack he had presented for waybill to Benue State.

“Upon searching the abandoned sack, officers discovered unripe plantains concealing three locally made Beretta pistols.

“Through technical intelligence and sustained investigation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Andrew Friday, aged 27, on August 7, 2026, at Akpakpava.

“The suspect confessed to sending the sack and admitted membership of the Aiye Secret Cult Confraternity.

“He further stated that the firearms were given to him by one Bance, surname unknown, from Iyanomo Community, allegedly for repairs in Benue State and subsequent use in an ongoing cult rivalry,” he disclosed.

He said the investigation was ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected with the matter.

In another operation, the Commissioner said four suspected cult members were arrested and firearms recovered from them.

He added that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

He said the operatives, acting on credible intelligence in collaboration with personnel attached to the Government House Task Force, conducted an operation at Egbaen Community, off Ekenhuan Road, Benin City.

He said four suspects, including Nuka Joseph, 27; Osatohamwen Ogor, 30; John Osewengie, 30; and Osezee Osayi, 29, were arrested.

The Commissioner stated that the operation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated pistols, one locally made Beretta pistol and one cut-to-size double-barrel gun.

He also added that the suspects allegedly confessed to membership of the Aiye Confraternity Cult.

He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

The Commissioner of Police, however, encouraged residents to look out for one another and pay attention to their neighbours, friends, colleagues and loved ones.

Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has recounted his experience in captivity, detailing how he was abducted from his residence, taken to a bandits’ camp and eventually escaped after days in captivity.

The account was disclosed on Tuesday by a conflict reporter covering the North-West region, Bakastine, in a post on his X handle.

According to the report, five armed men abducted the judge from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area and forced him to trek about 25 kilometres barefoot to the Dutsen Bandan camp.

Bunza said he met two other kidnapped Fulani men at the camp.

The following day, the bandits showed him photographs of himself and the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi.

He said the abductors told him they had been instructed to kidnap both men but did not disclose who had given the order.

The judge also recounted how the bandits showed him newspaper reports about his abduction and told him they were aware of reports that N200 million had been earmarked for his release.

He said no fewer than 20 bandits were operating from the camp and that they relied on informants who supplied information from surrounding communities, while also maintaining contact with their families.

Bunza said the bandits remained constantly alert despite being heavily armed, noting that they once warned him against coughing because they feared he might draw attention to their location.

DAILY POST gathered that the judge’s family eventually paid N50 million to secure his release, after which most of the bandits left the camp, leaving two men behind to guard him.

Bunza said he later overheard the two remaining abductors arguing, with one suggesting that he should be killed, before he realised at about 5 pm that he had been left alone.

He said he removed the covering over his face and escaped on foot, eventually reaching a village where he boarded a commercial motorcycle.

Bunza was abducted from his residence on July 26 and regained his freedom on August 3 after about eight days in captivity.

His release was subsequently confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command, his family and the state Ministry of Justice.

Reflecting on the experience, Bunza said the ordeal would not deter him from carrying out his duties.

“My kidnapping can never deter me from my work. I swear to Almighty Allah, nothing on this earth can change my attitude to work. It will motivate me to double my effort,” he said.