Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested five teenagers for their alleged involvement in shop break-ins and theft in the Ado-Odo area of the state.
The suspects, all minors between the ages of 14 and 16, were arrested in separate operations.
In a statement on Saturday, signed by the Command’s Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, two of the teenagers arrested reportedly confessed to a string of shop break-ins within the area.
Opeyemi stated that in the first incident, a watchman raised the alarm after observing suspicious movements inside a market stall at about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Following a report by community members, patrol teams were mobilised to the scene and apprehended two suspects inside the shop.
He said, “On the 2nd September, 2026, at about 0330hrs, some concerned community members reported that a watchman observed suspicious movements inside a market stall upon which patrol teams were immediately mobilized to the scene, apprehending one Lateef Khalid, 15, and Kareem Jamal, 16, inside the shop and recovering stolen foodstuffs and other items.
“Upon interrogation, the duo confessed to the crime and led operatives to arrest their accomplice, Sofiu Alabi, 14, who admitted to providing the key used to access the shop.
“All three suspects have been charged to court,” he added.
In a related development, two other teenagers were arrested on Friday by operatives of the So-Safe Corps and handed over to police detectives.
The suspects, Taofik Abioro, 16, and Ogundele Monday, 15, reportedly confessed during preliminary interrogation to participating in multiple shop burglaries across Ado-Odo.
The police said a search conducted at their premises led to the recovery of additional stolen items, while efforts were ongoing to arrest another suspected accomplice.
The Deputy PPRO quoted the State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, as commending the officers for their swift action, noting that synergy among stakeholders remains vital to disrupting criminal networks in the state.
He urged parents, guardians and community leaders to exercise firm supervision over young people to prevent their involvement in crime, while advising business owners to improve security around their premises and promptly report suspicious activities.
