Four suspected members of an armed robbery gang who hijacked a truckload of branded flour packs were arrested by operatives of Ogun State Police Command on May 5, 2021.
The suspects reportedly hijacked the vehicle on Sagamu-Ijebu Ode highway on April 16.
The suspects were identified as Eze Anthony Sopruchuckwu (34), Eze Chijoke Edeh (29), Olalekan Ayodele Muritala (44) and Samuel Johnson (32).
Speaking on the arrest on Monday, May 24, the police spokesman in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed that they were arrested following a report lodged at Ikenne divisional headquarters that a truck, with registration number ANG 57 LG, loaded with 600 bags of branded flour and driven by one Ahmed Tiamiyu, was hijacked on the highway, while the driver and his assistant were taken to the bush.
The PPRO said that the hands of the two victims were turned towards their backs and tied, while their mouths were taped, after which the hijackers drove off the truck and its contents.
Oyeyemi spoke further that when the matter was reported, the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, directed that the case be transferred to Special Enquiry Bureau at state headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation.
A squad, led by DSP Ade Akiti, reportedly embarked on technical and intelligence-based investigation, and its efforts paid off when one of the suspects was traced to Ikorodu in Lagos State and promptly arrested.
“His arrest led to the arrest of three others, while 175 bags of Golden Penny flours were recovered from the warehouse of the gang leader, Eze Anthony,” the PPRO further said.
He added that the police commissioner, who commended the painstaking investigation done by the team, ordered his officers to search for other members of the gang at large and bring them to book.