Police Bust Kidnap, Robbery, and Cult Syndicate Terrorizing Ogun Communities

Police Bust Kidnap, Robbery, and Cult Syndicate Terrorizing Ogun Communities

…Suspects Confess to Cement Truck Hijack, Abduction of Chinese Nationals, Rape, and Armed Robbery

In a major breakthrough, operatives of the Zonal Dragon Squad 2 under the Zone 2 Police Command have arrested a notorious criminal syndicate comprising suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and members of the AIYE cult group that have been terrorising communities in Ogun State.

The suspects, identified as Damilare Babatunde (a.k.a. Drey), aged 30; Fatai Ishola, aged 25; and Segun Hammed (a.k.a. Opa), aged 28, were apprehended on May 8, 2025, at Sabo Hausa Market, Eleweran, Abeokuta, while allegedly plotting a robbery attack. Their arrest led to the capture of another accomplice, Abiodun Olanrewaju, aged 45, at his hideout in Onigbedu, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

According to CSP Ayuba T. Umma, Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, the suspects have confessed to multiple crimes, including the hijacking of cement-laden trucks along the Onigbedu axis in Ewekoro. The gang also admitted to the kidnapping of two Chinese nationals — Liang Ding Jia and Chen Wen Guang — on August 11, 2024. A ransom of ₦30 million was reportedly collected for their release.

In a disturbing revelation, one of the suspects, Segun Hammed, confessed to participating in a violent robbery in Obada Oko on January 27, 2025. During the operation, he reportedly raped a 62-year-old woman in the presence of her children. According to the victim, the assailant initially targeted her daughter, but after pleading with him, he turned on her and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

Items recovered from the suspects include:

• One locally made pistol
• One Beretta pistol with 13 live rounds
• Three live cartridges
• Two unregistered Bajaj motorcycles
• ₦300,000 in cash
• One iPhone 7+
• One Tecno mobile phone
• Assorted ATM cards belonging to Opay and UBA

Police noted that some of the stolen items are still in the possession of a suspect currently at large. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining gang members and recover all outstanding exhibits.

The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

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