A distress call from a resident has led to the disruption of a suspected robbery operation in Ota, Ogun State, with police neutralising one suspect and recovering two vehicles, a locally made pistol and several items believed to have been stolen.
The incident occurred at about 1:45 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, in Ijaba, Iyesi, Ota, according to the Ogun State Police Command.
Operatives of the Onipanu Division, under the Ota Area Command, were mobilised to the area after receiving the distress call from a concerned resident.
The police said the suspects opened fire when they sighted the approaching patrol team, prompting an exchange of gunfire.
One of the suspects was neutralised during the encounter, while other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.
A search of the area subsequently led to the recovery of a Nissan Almera and a Toyota Camry, as well as a cache of items suspected to have been stolen.
The recovered property included HP and Dell laptops, a PlayStation console, four mobile phones, a Samsung television, a standing fan, a rechargeable radio, a Wi-Fi device, clothing and an OPay ATM card.
Police also recovered a deck, two MP devices and other household items.
From the deceased suspect, operatives recovered a locally made pistol, two live cartridges and seven expended cartridges.
Other items found on him included a Tecno mobile phone, three passport photographs, an MTN SIM pack, two National Identification Number (NIN) cards and cash.
Police said efforts had been intensified to locate the fleeing members of the gang, particularly those who may have sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.
The Command also said investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership of the recovered vehicles and other exhibits, as well as determine whether they were connected to other criminal activities.
Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism and courage during the operation.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive, intelligence-led policing, sustained patrol operations and rapid response to security concerns across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the police, assuring them that the Command remained alert and accessible in its efforts to protect lives and property.
The Command further appealed to members of the public to sustain cooperation with the police by providing timely and credible information, stressing that community participation remained essential to crime prevention and public safety.
