By Our Correspondent
ILARO — The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has successfully dismantled a suspected diesel theft syndicate operating along the Idogo-Ilaro axis of Ogun State, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of stolen diesel allegedly diverted from a road construction project.
The breakthrough followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance by operatives of the Corps after receiving credible information about a group allegedly involved in the illegal purchase and diversion of diesel meant for a construction company handling road works along Sokoto Road in Idogo, Yewa South Local Government Area.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the State Commander of the Corps, Commander (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander of Corps Adegunwa Adegbuyi.
According to the statement, the Corps acted on intelligence reports indicating that a syndicate had been systematically purchasing diesel earmarked for construction operations in the area. Consequently, Commander Ganzallo constituted a special investigation and surveillance team led by the Ilaro Area Commander, Assistant Commander of Corps (ACC) Moruf Adaranijo, to closely monitor the activities of the suspects.
The operation, which culminated in the arrest of the suspects, was carried out following several weeks of surveillance. Ganzallo revealed that an earlier attempt to apprehend the suspects in May was suspended due to insufficient intelligence.
However, fresh information received on Monday, June 22, 2026, indicated that the syndicate typically carried out its activities on Mondays and Saturdays. Armed with the new intelligence, the Corps immediately launched a coordinated operation to intercept the suspects.
Ahead of the operation, ACC Adaranijo strategically deployed officers at various locations around the target area to block all possible escape routes. The surveillance team subsequently identified and tracked the vehicle allegedly being used by the suspects.
The suspects reportedly became suspicious after noticing they were being followed and attempted to evade arrest by speeding away. Security operatives immediately pursued them while officers stationed at various ambush points were alerted.
Their escape bid was cut short when one of the vehicle's tyres burst along Sokoto Road, within the vicinity of the crime scene. The vehicle was immediately surrounded by security personnel, leading to the arrest of all three occupants.
The arrested suspects were identified as Gbolahan Ayobami, 27, a grader machine operator; Adedamola Ayomide, 29, who was driving the vehicle; and Ajibose Ayobami, 20, a loader and son of the alleged female buyer of the diesel.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to participating in the illegal transaction on at least three occasions over the past month. They further admitted that a similar operation had been carried out just a week before their arrest.
Items recovered from the suspects included a Mazda vehicle with registration number JJJ 913 GX and seventeen gallons containing approximately 30 litres of diesel each.
Commander Ganzallo commended the professionalism and commitment of the officers involved in the operation, noting that the success of the mission underscored the importance of intelligence-led security measures and community cooperation in combating economic sabotage and theft of public assets.
He reiterated the Corps' determination to continue safeguarding public infrastructure and preventing criminal activities capable of undermining government projects and economic development across the state.
The suspects and recovered exhibits have since been transferred to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ilaro Area Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The So-Safe Corps urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring that all reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality and professionalism.
