SO-SAFE CORPS ARRESTS SUSPECT OVER ALLEGED THEFT OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IN AGORO, RECOVERS STOLEN PIPE
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has apprehended a 37-year-old man, Abiodun Ajayi, over the alleged theft of construction materials and equipment from a block-making factory in Agoro, Ogun State.
In a statement issued by the State Commander, (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, and made available by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Adegunwa Adegbuyi the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged on September 22, 2026 by the owner of the construction site, Mr. Ajao Idris, aged 44, of Baale Community, Agoro. The complainant reported that several construction materials and equipment were missing from his compound, which also serves as a block industry.
The items reported missing included a rammer, concrete vibrator, floor pallet, reel, a Betral tire, three shovels, a 3-foot iron door, a 12-foot pipe and an H-beam iron channel.
According to the complainant, an eyewitness saw the suspect attempting to sell the missing iron door and promptly informed him. The eyewitness was subsequently invited to the So-Safe Corps office, where he gave a statement confirming what he had witnessed.
Following the information received, the alleged buyer of the iron door, Mr. Kuti Ajayi, a 56-year-old welder, was invited to the office. During questioning, Kuti confirmed that he had purchased the iron door for ₦20,000 and presented a photograph of the person who sold it to him.
The photograph was used by So-Safe Corps operatives to identify and locate the suspect, who was eventually apprehended.
During interrogation, Ajayi initially denied stealing the materials, claiming that he found the iron door by the roadside before selling it. However, further investigation led to an alleged confession, during which he reportedly explained how he gained access to the compound through the fence and disclosed several items he allegedly stole and the individuals to whom some of them were sold.
The suspect identified two alleged buyers, Mohammed Aminu, 21, from Kano State; and Abubakar Musa, 20, from Katsina State, both of whom are scavengers
So-Safe Corps officers subsequently visited their business locations. During the operation, a missing 12-foot pipe was recovered from Abubakar Musa, who reportedly stated that he purchased it from Ajayi for ₦5,000. Mohammed Aminu also gave a statement, claiming that he had already resold the items he purchased from the suspect.
The suspects, together with the recovered property, were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Sango-Ota Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
The Commander, therefore, reiterates the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives and property and urge members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security authorities.
