Ex-convict arrested for stealing bikes in Ogun

The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, also known as So-Safe Corps, has apprehended a notorious ex-convict, Paul James, for allegedly stealing motorcycles in Ogun State.

The 32-year-old suspect was arrested by operatives of the Oke-Ogun Area Command while on routine patrol.

The State Commander of the Corps, Soji Ganzallo, in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Moruf Yusuf, on Wednesday, said the suspect, when asked for his documents, left the motorcycle with the officers and failed to return.

According to the statement, he was later traced to Idi-Ori in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where another motorcycle was found in his possession.

Part of the statement read: “His suspicious behaviour prompted officers to request his motorbike documents. James left under the pretence of retrieving the documents but failed to return.

“He was later traced to Idi-Ori in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where officers discovered another motorbike in his possession. He confessed to stealing both motorcycles from Abule-Ilede in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, where his mother resides.

“During preliminary investigation, Paul James admitted to previous thefts, including stealing a motorbike in 2019 at Tobolo which he sold to a man named Sulaiman at Ita-Oshin.

“He also confessed to a 2013 theft at Ologun Eru Area in Ibadan, selling the motorbike to a friend, Ifa Ogunlana.”

The statement revealed that his 31-year-old accomplice, Alex Emmanuel, who allegedly assisted him in selling stolen motorcycles to prospective buyers, was also arrested.

Items recovered from the suspects include two unregistered Bajaj motorcycles, one Itel Android phone, and two small phones, all reportedly stolen from Ibarapa North.

Ganzallo added that the suspects and the recovered items have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Zonal Dragon Tactical Unit at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, for further investigation and possible prosecution.