Police nab two suspected cattle rustlers in Ogun

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested two suspected cattle rustlers and recovered a cow valued at N1.7m during a swift response operation in the Ifo/Ibogun area of the state.

 In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said, “The suspects, identified as Muhammed Monsur and Olaseinde Olatunji, were apprehended by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics unit following a distress call from a farmer whose livestock had been attacked.”

 He said the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 30, 2026, at about 2:30 a.m., when suspected rustlers invaded a dairy farm at Omitoro Village via Coker in the Ifo/Ibogun axis and made away with a cow.

 Babaseyi added, “Officers swiftly mobilised to the scene upon receiving the report, leading to the interception of the suspects, who attempted to flee in a commercial minibus, popularly known as ‘Korope’.”

 “The suspects were intercepted following an alarm raised due to their suspicious movements. The prompt intervention of operatives led to their arrest,” the statement added.

 PUNCH Metro learnt that the stolen cow, a knife believed to have been used during the operation, and the minibus used to convey the animal were recovered.

 The command explained that preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were members of a four-man gang, while two other accomplices escaped into a nearby bush and are currently at large.

 It added that the operational vehicle had been secured at the SWAT office in Ibogun, while the recovered cow was documented as evidence and later returned to its owner after necessary procedures.

 The statement further said the suspects are in custody and that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang and ensure prosecution.

 The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their swift response and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state.

 He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through designated emergency lines.

 This arrest comes a month after the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps recovered over 20 cows from cattle rustlers after they injured a guard and escaped with the animals at a ranch in Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode.

 The Corps Commander, Dr Soji Ganzallo, said the agency received a distress call from a resident of the Ifesowapo community about a cattle rustling incident at about 1:30am on March 17.

 He noted that the state commander immediately mobilised the Ijebu Zonal Commander, Yemi Odukoya, who led a special squad to the scene, resulting in the recovery of the stolen cattle.