Ogun: Police Recover iPhones, Laptop After Foiling Hostel Robbery

The Police Command in Ogun State has foiled a robbery operation at a student hostel in the Eruku/Agbon area of Ewekoro, arresting two suspects in connection with the crime.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command's spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, made available on Wednesday in Abeokuta.

According to Babaseyi, the suspects were arrested following a distress call from an anonymous caller at about 2:40 a.m. on September 13, alerting police to an armed gang robbing students at a hostel in the area. He said operatives of the Ewekoro Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, responded promptly to the call.

"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," he said.

Babaseyi disclosed that a search of the abandoned school bag led to the recovery of 11 assorted iPhones, an HP laptop, and various items of clothing, adding that some of the victims had since identified the recovered property as their own. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang allegedly forced one of the victims to transfer N200,000 to an account during the robbery," he said.

He further explained that detectives had visited the crime scene, documented evidence of forced entry, and secured the recovered items. The suspects and the recovered property have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation and prosecution. According to Babaseyi, efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and trace the owner of the beneficiary account used in the alleged forced transfer.

He quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, as commending the Ewekoro operatives for their vigilance and prompt response. Ojajuni reaffirmed the command's commitment to protecting students and residents across the state from criminal elements, urging operators of off-campus student hostels and landlords to maintain emergency contact numbers and promptly report security threats or suspicious activities.

"Residents are advised to use the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or 09164859299 and 09154293464 to report emergencies," he said.