The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a gang who allegedly robbed students at a hostel in the Eruku/Agbon area of Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Waris Dauda and Tiamiyu Abiodun, were arrested after police operatives responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery at the hostel.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Babaseyi said the incident occurred around 2:40 am when an anonymous caller alerted the Ewekoro Divisional Police Station that an armed gang was robbing students at a hostel in the community.

He said the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised operatives to the scene, adding that the suspects abandoned a school bag containing some of the stolen items and attempted to flee after sighting the police.

According to him, the officers gave chase and arrested the two suspects.

A search of the abandoned bag, he said, led to the recovery of 11 assorted iPhones, an HP laptop and various items of clothing.

“A search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of eleven assorted iPhones, one HP laptop, and various items of clothing.

Victims of the robbery have since identified their recovered property,” Babaseyi stated.

He added that preliminary investigation revealed that the gang allegedly forced one of the victims to transfer N200,000 to a bank account during the robbery.

“Detectives have visited the scene, documented evidence of forced entry and secured the recovered exhibits,” he said.

Babaseyi said search warrants executed at the suspects’ residences yielded no further incriminating items.

He added that the suspects and recovered property were being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation and prosecution.

The PPRO said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and identify the owner of the beneficiary account into which the N200,000 was allegedly transferred.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ewekoro operatives for their prompt response and vigilance.

Ojajuni assured students and residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

The command also urged operators of off-campus student hostels and landlords to maintain functional emergency contact numbers and promptly report security threats and suspicious activities to the police.

Student communities in Ogun have witnessed robbery incidents this year, prompting calls for stronger security around areas inhabited by students.

PUNCH Metro reported in July that students of the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ogun State, blocked the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway to protest the killing of one of their colleagues during a robbery attack in a student community behind the institution.

The protest caused heavy traffic congestion along the highway and followed an overnight attack by suspected armed robbers on Eruku community, where many students reside. (The PUNCH)