Monarch says suspect allegedly committed over 10 thefts since April release
A suspected 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 burglaries in the community.
Timothy was reportedly apprehended at about 2am on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, while allegedly attempting to retrieve and move a machine said to be worth about N1m from a bush where it had reportedly been concealed.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that some youths in the community had mounted surveillance around the area after allegedly receiving information about the stolen machine.
The suspect was reportedly caught while attempting to move the machine but allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in a struggle during which one of the youths was reportedly injured.
He was eventually overpowered and handed over to the police.
Residents who spoke with PLATFORM TIMES alleged that Timothy had returned from prison less than two months earlier and had subsequently been linked to several night-time theft incidents in the community.
One resident, who requested anonymity, alleged that the suspect had been moving from one house to another at night, stealing valuables from residents.
The resident claimed that on September 7, Timothy allegedly entered his house at about 2am and stole his wife’s mobile phone before reportedly proceeding to another residence.
According to the resident, the suspect was allegedly caught at the second house but managed to escape.
A market woman identified simply as Iya Emmanuel also recounted how she allegedly lost about N1.3m, jewellery, a bag and a mobile phone during a burglary at her residence on August 31.
She said the incident occurred at about 2am when the intruders allegedly entered her compound through the fence and gained access to her room through an open window.
“I always open my window because of the heat. I had just returned from the market a day before. The money was what I was going to take to the market the next day because I am a market woman. It was N1.3 million.
“I kept the money in one of my expensive bags together with some jewellery and my phone. They took everything and dropped my SIM card outside,” she said.
According to Emmanuel, she only discovered the burglary after her son’s wife noticed the SIM card outside the house the following morning.
“She called me, and that was when I ran inside to look for my phone. That was when I discovered that my money, jewellery, bag and other valuables had been taken,” she added.
Emmanuel said she reported the incident at the Ipokia Police Station, after which police officers visited her residence as part of their investigation.
She added that the police asked her to provide the carton of the stolen phone to assist efforts to track it.
However, she alleged that another burglary occurred at her residence on September 7.
According to her, the suspected burglars allegedly stole provisions and other valuables that she sold from her home.
She further alleged that the suspect entered her son’s room while attempting to steal his mobile phone but was discovered by her son, who raised the alarm.
She said her son and other residents chased the suspect, but he allegedly escaped.
‘He has allegedly stolen more than 10 times’
The King of Ijofin, Oba Moruf Ayinla Awode, confirmed that he was aware of the arrest and said Timothy had previously served prison terms.
The monarch said the suspect was released from prison in April 2026 and had allegedly been linked to several theft incidents since his return.
“I am aware of the incident. Timothy is already in police custody in Ipokia. He has gone to prison twice. He came back from prison in April this year, and since he returned, he has allegedly stolen more than 10 times,” 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 alleged that Timothy had previously been imprisoned alongside his father and younger brother, adding that his father was released in May.
He further confirmed the alleged burglary involving Emmanuel, saying he was aware that she lost money, a mobile phone and other valuables.
The monarch also said the owner of the machine allegedly recovered from Timothy had handed the machine and its documents to the police and indicated that he was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.
Monarch warns against jungle justice
The King of Idosemo, Oba Ajani, also confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and handed over to the police.
Oba Ajani urged residents not to take the law into their own hands, stressing the need for suspected criminals to be handed over to law enforcement agencies.
He said the responsibility for investigating the allegations and determining whether the suspect should face prosecution rested with the police and other relevant authorities.
As of the time of filing this report, Timothy was reportedly being held at the Ipokia Police Station, while the allegations against him remained subject to police investigation and due process.
When contacted, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, requested that the reporter send a message via WhatsApp.
The PPRO had not responded to the messages or calls as of the time of filing this report.
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