Police Track, Arrest Suspect Who Fled Across Four States After ₦141.7m Cocoa Theft
25th November,2025
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a prime suspect linked to the theft of ₦141.7 million worth of cocoa beans, bringing a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation into a coordinated heist involving staff of a private agro-processing company.
The arrest followed an intensive manhunt across four states, culminating in the capture of Ajayi Olakunle, one of the masterminds of the theft of 189 bags of dried cocoa beans belonging to Agro Trader Limited. The suspect was tracked to Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, after fleeing through Osun, Oyo, and Abia states in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the Command’s success was made possible through enhanced operational capacity and the strategic support of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM.
The case was first reported by Mr. Oyegoke Joseph of Akure, who accused six staff members of the company—including two Chief Security Officers—of conspiring to steal cocoa beans valued at ₦141,750,000 from the firm’s warehouse. Police operatives promptly arrested four suspects, all of whom confessed during interrogation and implicated two additional accomplices who had fled.
Investigators intensified efforts to track the remaining suspects, deploying modern technological tools that ultimately led to Ajayi’s arrest by the CP Monitoring Unit in Ijebu-Ode. The suspect has since confessed to his involvement in the criminal operation.
The Command stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the last remaining accomplices and consolidate evidence for prosecution. The Commissioner of Police appreciated the IGP’s continued support in boosting the Command’s crime-fighting capacity.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Ondo State Police Command warned that no offender—regardless of the distance they flee—will escape justice. Individuals entering the state with criminal motives, the statement added, will face the full weight of the law.
