Operatives of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as the [So-Safe Corps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So- Safe_Corps), have detained two individuals in connection with a burglary and the theft of aluminium fixtures in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. The apprehended persons are 67-year-old land agent Bolaji Onifade and 27-year-old scavenger Amiru Abdulahi, both picked up at Shonekan Town within the Ayodapo Peace Land Community Development Association (CDA).
According to a statement released on Sunday by the corps spokesperson, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, the apprehension stemmed from an emergency alert received around 11:45 a.m. on Friday. The chairman of the local CDA had contacted SC Jinadu Okikiola, the Divisional Officer for Onireke, to report that community members had caught suspected burglars, though one had managed to flee during the initial encounter.
How was the fleeing suspect tracked down?
Responding swiftly to the report, the Divisional Officer and the Operations Officer, ASC Taofeek Omidiran, rushed to the location and secured the first suspect. Upon interrogation, the captive revealed that his accomplice had escaped. To capture the fleeing suspect, the Divisional Officer orchestrated a sting operation using the first suspect's mobile phone to trick him into believing his partner had been freed and required assistance to get home.
Approximately sixty minutes later, the second suspect returned the call, stating he was waiting at the KA Fueling Station in Ogbayo. The Operations Officer alongside the first suspect rode a motorcycle to the designated spot, posing as ordinary commuters, and successfully identified and apprehended the second suspect without incident.
What were the findings during interrogation?
Both men were taken into custody for questioning, where they confessed to previously stripping aluminium window frames from a building, exploiting the secluded, bushy surroundings and the quiet atmosphere during work hours. They further admitted to returning on October 30 to cart away the remaining materials for commercial sale.
A search of a sack belonging to the second suspect yielded a pair of scissors and side-cutting pliers, which the suspect acknowledged were the instruments used to dismantle the fixtures.
Following the operation, State Commander Ganzallo lauded the tactical response and cooperation between the security personnel and local residents. He further advised community leaders and inhabitants to clear overgrown bushes around their properties to deny wrongdoers convenient hiding spots.
The suspects, alongside the recovered items, have since been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Ifo Divisional Headquarters for comprehensive investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.