Two suspected thieves nabbed with 15 stolen goats in Osun

Police have successfully apprehended two individuals suspected of being involved in a widespread livestock theft operation.

The suspects, identified as Naheem Ibrahim (46) and Suraju Isiaka (33), were caught red-handed while attempting to transport a total of 15 stolen goats to Lagos.

Their arrest sheds light on a series of mysterious goat disappearances that have plagued several communities, including Osogbo, Ikirun, Obagun, Iree, Eripa, Otan-Ayegbaju, and Ila, in Osun State.

The arrest occurred when vigilant members of the Safer Highway patrol, engaged in routine vehicle inspections along the Odeomu-Sekona axis, noticed suspicious activity.

The police operatives swiftly apprehended Ibrahim and Isiaka as they were loading the animals into a Lexus SUV. A subsequent search revealed that the suspects were in possession of 14 live goats and one deceased she-goat, which they intended to sell in Lagos.

Upon discovering the stolen animals, law enforcement officers promptly arrested the suspects and transported them to the police headquarters in Osogbo for further questioning and investigation.

The authorities have since confirmed that the stolen goats were targeted during the late hours, specifically when owners had retired for the night and community night guards had not yet assumed their duties.

Residents of the affected communities had long been perplexed by the frequent disappearances of their goats, often leading to accusations and suspicion among neighbors.

Spokesperson of the command, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects were heading to Lagos in a Lexus SUV with the animals stolen from different communities when they were intercepted by the policemen.

“Upon interrogation, they confessed to have stolen the goats from different locations in Osogbo, Ikirun and lla-Orangun to be sold to one lya Bisola at Mile-12, Lagos State. More so, the suspects confessed to having been operating in Osun State since 2019.”

She said the suspects confessed that their time of operation was between 8pm and 10pm before night guards at various locations report for duty, adding that the goats were usually sold between N5,000 and N10,000.