Ex-convict arrested again for alleged nighttime thefts in Ogun community

Monarch says the suspect has allegedly committed more than 10 thefts since his April release

An alleged ex-convict, identified as Soyingbe Timothy, has been re-arrested by the police in Ijofin, Ipokia Local Government Area of ​​Ogun State, following allegations linking him to a series of night-time thefts in the community.

Timothy was reportedly arrested around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, while allegedly attempting to retrieve and move a car worth approximately $1 million from a bush where it was allegedly hidden.

PLATFORM TIMES reported that some youths from the community had set up a surveillance system in the area after allegedly receiving information about the stolen car.

The suspect was reportedly caught while attempting to move the car, but resisted arrest, resulting in a scuffle during which one of the youths was injured.

He was eventually overpowered and handed over to the police.

Residents who spoke to PLATFORM TIMES said Timothy had returned from prison less than two months earlier and had subsequently been linked to several incidents of late-night burglaries in the community.

One resident, who requested anonymity, said the suspect moved from house to house at night, stealing valuables from residents.

The resident alleged that on September 7, Timothy allegedly entered his home at approximately 2 a.m. and stole his wife’s cell phone before reportedly heading to another residence.

According to the resident, the suspect was caught in the second house but managed to escape.

A market woman simply identified as Iya Emmanuel also said she lost about $1.3 million, jewelry, a purse and a cell phone during a burglary at her residence on Aug. 31.

He said the incident occurred around 2 am, when intruders allegedly entered his compound through the fence and gained access to his room through an open window.

“I always open the window because of the heat. I had just returned from the market the day before. The money was what I would take to the market the next day because I am a market woman. It was $1.3 million.

“I kept the money in one of my expensive bags along with some jewelery and my phone. They took everything and dropped my SIM card outside,” she said.

Emmanuel only discovered the theft after his son’s wife noticed the SIM card outside the house the following morning.

“He called me, and that’s when I ran inside to look for my phone. That’s when I discovered that my money, jewellery, bag and other valuables had been taken,” she added.

Emmanuel said he reported the incident to the Ipokia police station, after which police officers visited his residence as part of their investigations.

She added that the police asked her to provide the box of the stolen phone to facilitate efforts to trace it.

However, he said another burglary occurred at his residence on September 7.

According to her, the alleged thieves stole supplies and other valuables that she sold from her home.

He further said that the suspect entered his son’s room while trying to steal his mobile phone, but was discovered by his son, who raised the alarm.

He said his son and other residents chased the suspect, but he allegedly ran away.

“He would have stolen more than 10 times”

The king of Ijofin, Oba Moruf Ayinla Awode, confirmed he was aware of the arrest and said Timothy had already served prison terms.

The monarch said the suspect was released from prison in April 2026 and would be linked to several theft incidents after his return.

“I am aware of the incident. Timothy is already in police custody in Ipokia. He has gone to prison twice. He returned from prison in April this year and has allegedly stolen more than 10 times since his return,” the monarch said.

Oba Awode appealed to the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, saying residents were concerned about the reported incidents.

The monarch also said that Timothy had previously been imprisoned along with his father and younger brother, adding that his father had been released in May.

He also confirmed the alleged burglary involving Emmanuel, saying he was aware of the loss of money, a mobile phone and other valuables.

The monarch also said the owner of the car allegedly recovered by Timothy had handed over the car and its documents to police and indicated he was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.

Monarch warns of jungle justice

The King of Idosemo, Oba Ajani, also confirmed that the suspect was arrested and handed over to the police.

Oba Ajani urged residents not to take justice into their own hands, stressing the need for suspected criminals to be handed over to the police.

He said the responsibility for investigating the allegations and determining whether the suspect should be prosecuted rests with the police and other relevant authorities.

At the time of filing this report, Timothy was reportedly detained at the Ipokia Police Station, while the allegations against him remained under police investigation and due process.

When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, asked the journalist to send a message via WhatsApp.

PPRO had not responded to messages or calls at the time of filing this report.

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