Five teenagers arrested over multiple shop burglaries in Ogun

Five teenagers arrested over multiple shop burglaries in Ogun

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested five teenagers suspected of involvement in a series of shop burglaries across the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Lateef Kalid, 15; Kareem Jamal, 16; Sofiu Alabi, 14; Taofik Abioro, 16; and Ogundele Monday, 15.

The arrests were made in separate incidents on September 2 and September 4, 2026, following reports of suspicious movements and alleged burglary activities in the area.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Abeokuta, explaining that the first incident occurred at about 3:30am on September 2.

According to Babaseyi, concerned members of the community alerted the police after a watchman noticed suspicious movements inside a market stall.

Following the report, police operatives were immediately mobilised to the location, where they allegedly found Kalid and Jamal inside the shop.

The police said stolen foodstuffs and other items were recovered from the suspects.

Babaseyi said further interrogation of the two teenagers led to the arrest of Alabi, who allegedly confessed to providing the key used to gain access to the shop.

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The police spokesperson said the three suspects arrested in connection with the first incident had already been charged to court.

In a separate incident on September 4, personnel of the Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) reportedly arrested Abioro and Monday before handing them over to the police for further investigation.

According to the police, preliminary interrogation indicated that the two teenagers allegedly confessed to participating in multiple shop burglaries across the area.

The police said subsequent searches conducted at their premises resulted in the recovery of additional items suspected to have been stolen during previous burglary operations.

Babaseyi said the case had been transferred for further investigation, while police operatives were also working to track down an outstanding accomplice who remains at large.

The police did not disclose the total monetary value of the recovered items or provide further details about the other shops allegedly targeted by the suspects.

The arrests highlight continuing concerns over property crime and burglary in Ogun State, particularly in commercial communities where shops and business premises can become targets during the night.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended officers of the Ado-Odo Division for their prompt response to the initial report and praised the So-Safe Corps for assisting in the arrest and transfer of the other two suspects.

Ojajuni also called on parents and guardians to exercise closer supervision over young people and take steps to discourage them from becoming involved in criminal activities.

The commissioner urged community leaders to strengthen cooperation with security agencies and promptly report suspicious movements or activities in their neighbourhoods.

He also advised business owners and shop operators to strengthen security around their premises, particularly outside business hours, and to report suspected criminal activity to the police without delay.

The Ogun State Police Command said investigations are continuing into the second incident, while efforts remain underway to apprehend the outstanding suspect.

The allegations against the five teenagers remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. Their arrests and reported confessions do not amount to convictions, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.

Five teenagers arrested over multiple shop burglaries in Ogun