ABEOKUTA — Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have successfully apprehended five teenagers allegedly responsible for a series of retail break-ins and recurring theft within the Ado-Odo axis of the state.
Tripod Times reports that the operations, executed swiftly by local divisions, led to the arrest of the suspects—all minors ranging between 14 and 16 years of age—who have been linked to multiple shop-breaking incidents.
The breakthrough occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026. According to an official police statement released on Saturday, September 5, 2026, by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, the syndicate met its match when a market security guard noticed suspicious movement.
Police said at approximately 3:30 a.m., a watchman stationed at a local market raised a loud alarm after spotting individuals moving stealthily inside a locked stall. Nearby operatives responded immediately, securing the perimeter and catching the primary suspects in the act.
Following a preliminary interrogation, two of the arrested teenagers confessed to a string of recent shop burglaries within the immediate trading zone.
The Ado-Odo business community has recently witnessed a uptick in night-time store invasions, causing concerns among local traders. ASP Opeyemi confirmed that the command has recovered several items suspected to be stolen from the market.
Investigators are currently working to trace the owners of the recovered goods and establish the full scale of the group’s operations.
The suspects remain in police custody while a discreet investigation continues.
The Ogun State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting night patrols around commercial hubs and has urged market unions to strengthen baseline security protocols to deter future occurrences.
