Graphic Photos from Festac Bank Robbery Today

Frontview of Access Bank

In the early hours of today October 13th, armed robbers attempted to rob several banks in the Festac area of Lagos State. Things turned sour for the robbers when the police opened fire on them and a shoot out ensued between the robbers and security operatives. Sadly, a woman identified as Mrs. Jane Ndirieka and her 18-month old baby were killed by stray bullets from the incident. The baby was said to have died on the spot, while the mother was rushed to the hospital.

See other photos from the robbery:

The frontview of Diamond bank

 

The 18 month old baby

**An update on this is that the Nigerian Police have recovered about 27 million Naira from the robbers and two hundred and forty rounds (240) of 7.62mm live ammunition, as the robbers left behind the said amount, in a bid to escape from the Police.

LASU Student Arrested For Sending Godogodo’s Gang After His Father’s N61m

Godogodo

Remember Godogodo (pictured above)? He is the very notorious criminal who was caught some months ago and who the police referred to as bigger than Shina Rambo (Another very notorious criminal).

Godogodo after his capture, confessed to being a part of the biggest robbery operation this year at the MMIA. 

Well, there is another twist to the story as a particular Kabiru Mohammed has confessed to being the informant, who notified Godogodo and his gang about the deal.

Kabiru Mohammed, the son of a bureau de change operator at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport has been arrested by men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikeja. Kabiru, a student of the Lagos State University, was arrested for his involvement with a robbery gang whom he hired to steal $383,000 or N61 million from his father.

The suspect confessed to hiring a notorious armed robber, Abiodun Ogunjobi aka Godogodo to rob his father of the sum of money. Mohammed is in the custody of the Special Anti Robbery Squad in Ikeja.

He said, “My father is a bureau de change operator at the airport. I am the one who arranged a seven-man armed robbery gang led by Godogodo to rob my older brother, Ibrahim who was carrying my father’s money amounting to $383,000.

“I told the gang that my father had dollars. The first operation was when Ibrahim wanted to convey money from local airport to international airport, I called Godogodo and gave him the car number plate and the colour of the car. I told them not to kill my brother, but to shoot into the air. I knew my brother would release the money because my father told us not to drag money with armed robbers. They collected $350,000 and gave me only two bundles which is $20,000

“In the second operation they stopped my brother in front of Air Force Bus Stop and collected $33,000 and they gave me $8,000.”

Kabiru Mohammed confessed to being a member of the gang and follows them on some operations.

“I am a member of the robbery gang. My role is to find targets and also information which I give to the gang. That is why they call me ‘Target man’.”

He said he spent his share of the loot on building a mosque in Kano and buying 17 rams for the less privileged.

~See achievements! Mtscheeew. 
So he actually stole and 'probably killed people' to build a mosque and buy Rams for the less privileged? He must have been very privileged indeed!

Photo: Police Parade Pregnant Mother And 7 Others For Armed Robbery

The Lagos State Police Command has paraded a three-month old pregnant woman alongside a seven-man armed robbery gang on Monday who confessed to the alleged killing of two police officers attached to the Iju-Ishaga Police Station last October.

The police also recovered from the suspects: two AK-47 rifles with numberd 56-2-5012375 and 07015493 with two AK-47 Magazines fully loaded; one automatic pump action gun; four locally made pistolS and 135 live cartridges with their operational vehicle one Ash Colour Hyundai Tucson Jeep with registration number MUS 350 BG in Egbeda area of Lagos.

Among the suspects paraded was Olubaba, an accomplice of the dare-devil armed robbery kingpin, Godogodo .

The suspects met their waterloo on Sunday during an exchange of fire with the crack SARS operatives .

Taiwo Obafunso, 28, the pregnant woman and mother of a teenager told journalists that she unknowingly got involved with the robbers because one of them had at various times given her monetary gifts.

Others arrested included: Ife Olubaba, 29; Saheed Wasiu, 23; Odelade Kabiru, 23; ,Segun Idowu, 20; Wasiu Rafiu, 23; Wasiu Sonni, 26; and Taiye Agege (now deceased). 

They were paraded on Monday for also wounding four policemen.

KiriKiri Prison Inmate Pardoned Few Weeks Ago, Gets Caught in the Act; Re-arrested For Amed Robbery

The police in Lagos State have arrested a 22-year-old man, Musa Ojo, for armed robbery.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect was among the prison inmates recently pardoned by the state government. 

But a few weeks after his release, the suspect, who goes by the pseudonym, Agba Musa, and two others at large, on September 14, 2013, snatched a Toyota Corolla car marked LSR 587 AR.

Punch reports that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, who were on patrol duty at the Ijesha end of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, sighted the robbers and chased them.

Police said when the heat became too much for the robbers, they jumped out of the vehicle and took to their heels.

Musa was, however, arrested by SARS men and the vehicle was recovered, while the other two escaped. 

Speaking at the state command headquarters in Ikeja, the suspect said it was not his initial plan to become an armed robber. 

Crying profusely, he said:

“Initially, I did not want to be an armed robber. I lived in Ebute Meta and I owned a motorcycle. Two of my friends told me to give them a ride to Aguda, Surulere. 

On getting there, they brought out guns and started robbing people. I swear I did not know that they were going for an operation. That was how I joined them. I ended up following them for 10 robbery operations. We usually operated in Onike, Yaba, Bariga and Somolu, where we robbed small shops. Later, we started snatching vehicles such as Toyota and Honda and we would give a dealer to sell. My share was always N50,000.

"My gang comprised myself, Kehinde Nice, Asumo and Nuru. The police arrested Asumo and I, while Nuru was killed. Kehinde is still on the run."

The suspect said after spending one and a half years in prison, he and about 80 others were pardoned. He said he went back  to robbery because he was tempted by bad friends and needed money to survive.

Still crying profusely, he said,

"I dropped out of school in JSS2 and became an apprentice at a mechanic workshop but I did not finish my training. After sometime, I got a girl pregnant and became a father with responsibilities. Unfortunately, my father is late and my mother is old, so I have no one to help me.

After leaving prison, I started receiving calls from people that they needed vehicles and I was short of money. So, I thought to myself that if I could steal just one car, I would be alright. I did not know that police had been on my trail from the day I was released."

The Oyo State indigene asked the police to give him one more chance, promising that he would not return to his old ways.

"I never killed anyone during my robberies, please. If they can spare me one last time, I will be grateful," he said.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said the suspect would be charged to court for armed robbery.

Female Robbery Gang Leader & Gang Members Arrested in Lagos (Photo)

Chioma Ezekwesiri (pictured above) is the leader of a robbery gang that was arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Lagos last week. Chioma and her gang were arrested while attempting to rob a man staying a Bolatito Hotel, Kola Bus Stop, Ijaiye, Lagos. 

The robbers were caught after hotel staff called the police when the robbers stormed the hotel looking for their target. The police found two guns and 12 live ammunition in Chioma's car and promptly arrested her and her gang. She later told the police the guns were for an operation over a land matter.

The 35 year old gang leader said she is a Law graduate from the University of Lagos, where she supposedly graduated in 1999 and called to bar in 2000. A claim that has been found to be untrue. Chioma is currently locked up at Kirikiri while awaiting trial...

Other members of Chioma's gang (pictured above) are Raymond Chukwuka, 24, Ignatius Okeredi, 27,  Michael Madu, 52, Okechukwu Jerome, 28, and Amadi Igwe, 41

Godogodo bigger than Shina Rambo – Police

The Police High Command, weekend, said that South West robbery czar, Abiodun Ogunjobi, aka Gododogo, who was nabbed last week after a massive manhunt was a bigger threat than the famed Shina Rambo. The police said Godogodo reigned in the underworld for at least 14 years.

His notoriety was such that some  governors have called the police high command to hand over the underworld king to them so that they can re-assure their people that Godogodo has actually been arrested.

*Abiodun Ogunjobi

Vanguard gathered that the six police commands including Lagos are currently clamouring to interrogate the suspect who has terrorized the region for over 14 years, killing more than 50 policemen and many other civilians.

Police sources told Vanguard that Commissioners of Police from these states who have lost policemen and rifles to this deadly robber were seeking to have him paraded in their states to restore public confidence in the police.

A police source disclosed that  activities in one of the banks raided by Godogodo and his gang last year, leading to the death of unspecific number of people are yet to resume.

"They all want to have a time with the notorious armed robber.  They are all victims of his escapade and they all want to interrogate him to know how he coordinated some of these operations."

Fashola Orders Intensive Treatment of Suspect

Meanwhile, Vanguard also gathered that Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has ordered an intensive treatment of the suspect who was injured from bullet fired at him during his arrest in Egbeda area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Sources said Godogodo was rushed to  the  Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH,  last Thursday. He was  bleeding from injuries he sustained during his arrest.

Godogodo bigger than Shina Rambo - Police

Explaining how big he was in the underworld, a top police officer said he was bigger than Shina Rambo, who shot to public consciousness with his daring raids that led to the death of scores of policemen and civilians in the 90s.

According to the source, “we did not make it public because of the need not to frighten the people. But any top police officer will tell you that he was bigger that Shina Rambo. Was it the number of policemen he killed, the businesses he raided? He was the top man.

"He became prominent because of his access to arms. They operate in syndicates. For instance, in the Ajah zone, there was Saheed who looked out for targets. In this same zone, there was Omoba who had a six-man gang. When they identify a target and feel that it’s huge, they would invite Godogodo who would storm the place with his superior arsenal. They operated like that in every part of the region.

"However, before he was caught we had depleted his men. Some of them like AY, Seye, Omoba and Saheed had been arrested. We killed people like AY and Paul.

Sorcery and Charms

"These people believe in sorcery and charms. They are usually emboldened by their charms. Initially, we assumed they lived outside the country but gradually we started putting some of the evidence together which led to their arrest.

"What also struck us was that they operated on weekends. We still don’t know why. These guys were deadly."

Asked why they have decided to take him to some South-West states, the police top shot said he doubted if he would be alive for such parade.

He said: "Godogodo was in pretty bad shape when I saw him. I don’t think he will be alive for such exercise except the doctors perform a miracle."

Vanguard

I Make 10,000 Naira Daily from Picking Pockets - Suspect

 

A 22-year-old man, Terry Umuokoro, who makes a living as a pickpocket, has been arrested by the Apapa Police Division.

Also in custody are five others, suspected to have taken part in a robbery operation at Senator Muse Road, Apapa in June 2013.

Umuokoro was arrested last week at a hotel along Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Lagos. He had allegedly resided at the hotel for two months.

But the suspect denied being part of any robbery operation. Umukoro explained that he was a pickpocket.

He said, "I pick pockets for a living, I am not a robber. I started in January 2013 because I had no job after completing my secondary school education."

Explaining how he operates, the suspects said he usually armed himself with a school bag to create the appearance of a university undergraduate.

 He said he would then board as many commercial buses as possible, where he would pick the pockets of unsuspecting passengers. His loot included money and phones.

He said, "I only steal Nokia phones because you can sell them easily. I steal about three phones daily and have a buyer at Boundary bus stop in Ajegunle. I give him the phones and get paid in return. I make about N10,000 daily."

Due to the success of his trade, Umuokoro allegedly moved out of his family home to the hotel at Ojo road where a room goes at a rate of N5, 000 daily.

The other suspects, Desmond Ozore, Solomon Mibien, Nelson Mbabie, Jamiu Adigun and Akeem Apejoye, were initially arrested at the same hotel by the Victoria Garden City Police Post after a Blackberry Bold 5 which was stolen from a resident at Senator Muse road, was found with Ozore’s girlfriend.

On June 4 2013, two buildings were robbed on Senator Muse Road and valuables such as BlackBerry phones, laptops and money were allegedly taken by the armed robbers.

One of the stolen phones was traced to Ozore’s girlfriend who claimed that he had given her the phone.

Ozore said, "I am not a robber, none of my friends are. We are all into internet fraud. We stayed in the hotel because we need uninterrupted electricity.

"I bought the phone for N26,000 from Mibien. I never knew it was stolen."

Mibien denied being part of the robbery gang and claimed he also bought the phone from another friend who is currently at large.

There was no response from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ngozi Braide. She did not respond to calls or text messages to her phone.

[Punch]

Police Foil Bank Robbery Attempt In Asaba

The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme, has said that barely one week after a first generation bank was raided at Agbor, there was another attempt to rob another bank in Asaba supposedly  by the same gang.

Briefing newsmen in Asaba, yesterday, he said it was the same gang that struck at the first generation bank in Agbor on June 21, 2013 that attempted, in the early hours of yesterday, to raid the Asaba branch of the new generation bank located on Nnebisi Road, Asaba.

He said, "On June 30, 2013 at about 0200 hours at a new generation bank (names withheld), Nnebisi Road Asaba, police patrol team from ‘A’ Division Asaba had fierce gun duel with a gang of robbers numbering about 12 who came in three different vehicles in an attempt to rob the bank.

"At the end of the gun battle, due to superior fire power and gallantry of the policemen, the hoodlums were forced to abandon their evil mission and escaped with bullet wounds while the leader of the patrol team sustained bullet wound and is now responding to treatment in hospital. The patrol vehicle was also damaged.

"Items recovered at the scene were 53 empty shells of AK47 rifle, ammunition, one Mazda 626 car, one Pathfinder SUV, one Ford Mondoeo, two gas cylinders, one shifting spanner, one digger and two AK 47 magazines containing four rounds of live ammunition.

"It would be recalled that on 21/6/2013 the same gang struck at Agbor and it was believed that the Operations Manager of the bank (Agbor) invited the robbers as the two keys to the strong room which were supposed to be kept by two different senior officials of the bank were in possession of the Operations Manager. The bank safe was left open and the CCTV was tampered with."

Source: Vanguard

‘I am a lawyer, but I buy stolen vehicles from armed robbers’ - Babatunde...

 

Seeing a lawyer, Mr. Babatunde (surname withheld), one would believe that he is a complete gentleman. His pedigree, normally, should speak so much for him, as the son of a popular but late professor who was a lecturer in one of the federal universities in the South West. But more than he was doing as a trained lawyer, Babatunde was alleged to be a strong member of a robbery syndicate which specialised in robbing their victims of their posh cars and their belongings and selling the vehicles as Tokunbo.

The syndicate is divided into two gangs – While the robbery gang goes in search of exotic vehicles and would dispossess owners of them, Babatunde allegedly gets a ready market for the vehicles and ensures that the robbery gang members are well taken care of after each operation by lodging them in hotels.

Their cups became full when they went to rob a retired Rear Admiral in his home in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria, in May, 2013. The deadly gang was said to have dealt with members of the Rear Admiral’s household, after which they dispossessed him of his Toyota Highlander 2008 model, among other things.

According to the Oyo State police commissioner, Mohammed Indabawa, while speaking with journalists at a press briefing last Monday, when the case was reported, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at Oyo/Ogbomoso axis, led by the officer in charge, DSP Olusola Aremu, began a discreet investigation resulting in the arrest of suspects including Ayomide Oyeyipo (24), Olanrewaju Ayomide a.k.a. Peter (23), Olabode Seun, Oladapo Olatide (37), Abdulmalik Abiodun Ojulari and Akeem Afolabi (30).

Others are Babatunde (37), Segun Adeyale (39), Isaac Nwose (42) and Williams Asuwata (47).

Indabawa said that vehicles recovered from them included Toyota Highlander with registration number LND 758 AG (belonging to the Rear Admiral), Honda Accord, LND 130 AT, Honda Accord, EPE 986 BD, Toyota Corolla, LN 690 EKY, unregistered Range Rover, unregistered Honda Crosstour, unregistered Toyota Highlander, unregistered Toyota Camry, Honda Accord with registration number AP 835 ZAR, Honda Accord FDY 119 AA, Toyota Corolla LSD 120 BF, Toyota Camry AA 495 SHA and Toyota Camry FST 226 BH.

Also recovered form them were one English pistol, two locally-made cut-to-size pistols, eight laptops and 15 handsets.  

Below are their confessional statements during an interview with Saturday Tribune:

Ayomide Oyeyipo from Kwara State

I am popularly called Mayowa. I was living in Ilorin but when things were not going smoothly, I came to my friends in Ogbomoso and started working with a construction company. I left for Ilorin again but returned to Ogbomoso. I was working for a retired Colonel in the barracks in Ilorin but I used to go and play with my friends. All these happened this year. I later started living with them. One day, they told me that we should go and rob in Ogbomoso. We robbed our victims of his vehicle and took laptops, phones and some other things.

I took the English pistol that was recovered from me from the Colonel I was working for. I used to go to his office. One day, he put a nut (bullet) in the pistol and it got stuck. I called a policeman to help him and that one took it to his office to remove the stuck bullet. Instead of me returning the gun and bullet to my boss, my friends advised me to keep them. That was how I ran away from him.

The lawyer promised to pay N1.4 million for the Highlander but gave an initial N600,000. I was given N50,000. He also bought EOD from us. My gang members were Ayomide Olanrewaju, Seun, Dapson and Saheed.

Ayomide Olanrewaju a.k.a. Peter

We stole Highlander in Ogbomoso and took it to lawyer in Lagos. I was arrested at Ojoo area of Ibadan.

Saheed Adesina

My two friends, Mayowa, Seun and I  stole one Toyota Camry (Muscle) at Under-G area of Ogbomoso. I was called from my girlfriend’s house and they had two guns belonging to Mayowa and Dapson.

Akeem Afolabi

I was called by my friend, Abiodun, one morning and he asked if I could drive. He said he wanted us to go and snatch a vehicle. We saw two women at Tanke area of Ilorin and snatched a Toyota Camry (muscle) from them. Abiodun was the owner of the gun we used. We went to Ogbomoso after calling the buyer, Dapson, unknown to us that he was with SARS. That was how we were arrested.

Isaac Nwose from Kwale, Delta State

I am a driver to the lawyer. Whenever the boys came, lawyer would tell me to lodge in a hotel and ask me to take the vehicle to his father-in-law’s house. I have driven five for him. I didn’t know the vehicles were stolen ones until April this year. I told my brother and he said we should go to the police station after I must have concluded my traditional marriage.

I was in my hometown for the ceremony when my boss called me that he wanted to see me. I was arrested by the police when I came. All I have realised from my boss is N350,000.

Williams Asuwata from Cross River State

I have auto shop at Number 3, Oso Street, Opebi, Ikeja. No, I don’t deal in stolen vehicles. It was Segun that brought me in contact with the lawyer. Segun was a car dealer but he does not have a shop. Since I started my car shop two years ago, I have been seeing him in different car shops. They are many like that. When they bring customers to buy cars, you give them commission.

Last month, Segun told me that lawyer brought in vehicles he wanted to clear. He brought an unregistered Highlander to me one evening. They said they would sell for N4 million but I said I would pay N3.5 million. I gave him initial N500,000 and he issued me a receipt. The following morning, I transferred the balance of N3 million into his account. He gave me the spare key, the Customs papers and issued me a second receipt

Olajide Oladapo a.k.a. Dapson

I am from Ogbomoso. I repair computers. I was a member of a robbery gang. I also drove a snatched car to Lagos State. I did  it because I needed money. I was given N50,000. I also joined in snatching a Toyota Venza. I had a gun given to me by First Born and I gave it to Mayowa. First born is already serving a jail term in Oyo prisons. We took the vehicles to Tunde, the lawyer, in Lagos.

About seven laptops that were taken from our victims were also sold to me, which I in turn sold to others to make money.

Abdulmalik Abiodun Ojulari

I am one of the armed robbery gang members. We were five in number. Others are Peter, Mayowa, Dapson, Akeem amd I. I was with them when they snatched Toyota Venza and Toyota Camry. We snatched the latter from a woman in Ilorin and wanted to sell it to Dapson, unknown to us that he was already with Oyo SARS. He told us to wait for him somewhere and that was where we were arrested.

Seun Olabode, a casual staff member of PHCN

I belong to a gang comprising Dapson, Mayowa and Peter. I have snatched two vehicles with them. I don’t have a gun. It is only Mayowa and Dapson who have guns. I was given N50,000 after the operation where we stole the Highlander. I also joined them to snatch a Toyota Camry (Muscle) in Osogbo. I joind them about three months ago.

Segun Adeyale (39) from Edidi, Kwara State

I was a car dealer  but my business nose-dived when Fashola’s government drove us from where were staying by the riverside.

The lawyer Tunde called me one day and told me that he had one Highlander that he wanted to sell. I asked for the year of manufacture and he said 2008. I asked for the features and price. He told me. I asked if I could see it. He brought the Highlander and he told it belonged to his friend who came from the United States and was owing him some money. He said the friend asked him to sell and deduct his debt from it. I called Mr Williams whom I knew as a dealer and he bought the vehicle for N3.5 million. Mr Williams gave him N500,000 cash and paid n3 million into his account.

Babatunde (37)

I am a lawyer by profession. I studied at the ... University and finished in 2004. I am from Ekiti State. I don’t have a chamber but squat around any time I had a job to do. I am married with two kids. My wife works in a bank.

I was arrested in connection with robbery and recovery of stolen vehicles. It is true I am involved. I buy vehicles from armed robbers and I know that is what they do. I usually get the vehicles from Mayowa. I knew him through one Lekan. Lekan called me that someone gave him my number. I bought the Toyota Highlander snatched from Ogbomoso for N1.5 million but the market value is between N4 million and N4.2 million. I sold it to an automobile dealer, one Mr Williams for N3.5 million.

The vehicle was brought to me by Peter and Mayowa.Mayowa and one other guy also brought one Honda Accord (End of Discussion). I paid N550,000 for it. There was also another Toyota Venza brought by Dapson. The market value is N4 million but I paid them N1.5 million. I gave one blue EOD to a friend of mine in Abuja. I was owing him some money. I sold a green EOD to a colleague of mine for N1.4 million but I bought it for N550,000.

I started the ‘business’ in February this year. I am full of regrets, please don’t bring my family into this.

The police commissioner however called on members of the public who might have lost vehicles of the brands listed to visit Oyo State Police Command with proofs of ownership. He added that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Nigeria TRIBUNE

Photo: Olabisi Onabanjo University Student Arrested in Lagos for Armed Robbery

 A member of an organised criminal gang made up of a woman, her brother and three others  has expressed regrets becoming a thief, saying he had planned to become a police officer.

“My role in the gang is to push the victim out of our vehicle but I am always careful so that he will not fall and hit his head against a stone or hard object,” Emmanuel Ochi, also known as General said.

“I am a student of Olabisi Olabanjo University, Ogun State and I am in 300 level studying Crime Investigation. I intended to enlist in Nigeria Police Force when I graduate. I want to become a police detective.

“It is God that will decide. If I regain my freedom I will stand a chance. Even if I am jailed, I may get state pardon. Everything depends on God.”

28-year-old Anita Ekechukwu who was arrested with her brother, Sunday Ekechukwu said she became a thief because she was unemployed, adding that it was better than prostitution and her brother had introduced her to it.

“I am a member of the gang but we do not operate with gun. I am from Owerri, in Imo State. I am unemployed but I live at Lekki with my elder brother, Sunday, who is a building contractor,” she said.

“I joined the gang because I could not secure any reasonable employment.

“I joined the gang this year and I was given the telephone number of a bureau de change operator. I told him I wanted to buy $30,000. The next day, he sent his brothers who brought the dollars. I then told the man that we were going to a bank where I would pay him the naira equivalent. On the way to the bank, we collected the money from the man and pushed him out of the vehicle.”

According to ThePunch,

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old woman, Anita Ekechukwu, her brother, Sunday Ekechukwu; and three others, Benedict Nwadike, Emmanuel Ochi, also known as General and George Emmanuel, aka Force Man, for armed robbery.

According to the police authorities, the suspects were arrested while robbing bureau de change operators of millions of naira at different times.

Narrating how the suspects operated, a source at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad said Anita would pose as a customer and convince the bureau de change operator to enter a vehicle with her only to rob him.

The source said, “Anita would go to a bank and say she wanted to buy foreign currency knowing well that banks do not sell foreign currency to just anyone.

“The bankers would introduce her to a bureau de change operator and they would establish contact. Later, she will call them for a huge transaction in a vehicle.

“When the victim enters the vehicle, her colleagues would come in another vehicle, abduct the victim, rob him of his money at gunpoint and then throw him out of the vehicle.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that the robbers were arrested while trying to rob one Sanusi of $80,000 (N12.8m).

The police source said the robbers operated around a bank in Lekki and had boarded their vehicle when policemen intercepted them.

He said, 

“They organised another operation. Already police were aware that the gang was about to operate around the area. The robbers had already abducted their victim, when the police swooped in on them and arrested them. The robbers then revealed the location of the others. The police recovered the money collected from the victim.”

Anita said she took to robbery because of unemployment, adding that it was more honourable than prostitution.

She said it was her brother that introduced her to the illegitimate business but insisted they never used guns for their operations.

She said, “I am a member of the gang but we do not operate with gun. I am from Owerri, in Imo State. I am unemployed but I live at Lekki with my elder brother, Sunday, who is a building contractor.

“I joined the gang because I could not secure any reasonable employment.

“I joined the gang this year and I was given the telephone number of a bureau de change operator. I told him I wanted to buy $30,000. The next day, he sent his brothers who brought the dollars. I then told the man that we were going to a bank where I would pay him the naira equivalent. On the way to the bank, we collected the money from the man and pushed him out of the vehicle.”

Another suspect, Ochi, who claimed to be 24 years old, said he was a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.

He said his dream was to join the Nigeria Police Force but it was unclear if he would still be enlisted following his arrest.

He said, “My role in the gang is to push the victim out of our vehicle but I am always careful so that he will not fall and hit his head against a stone or hard object.

“I am a student of Olabisi Olabanjo University, Ogun State and I am in 300 level studying Crime Investigation. I intended to enlist in Nigeria Police Force when I graduate. I want to become a police detective.

On his hope of realising his life ambition to become police detective after graduation, now that he had been arrested he said, “It is God that will decide. If I regain my freedom I will stand a chance. Even if I am jailed, I may get state pardon. Everything depends on God.”

Photos: Robbery Suspects Beaten To a Pulp In Ilorin By Angry Mob

 

Two robbery suspects, members of a vicious gang that specialize in snatching money and valuables from unsuspecting passengers were nabbed by an angry mob along stadium road, Ilorin on Wednesday.

According to the unsuspecting victim, “I went to change some currency from naira to dollars at a bureau de change. After the transactions, I stopped the taxi with the men inside. Getting to my destination, I asked the driver to stop but he said he wanted to pick someone ahead before dropping me so he moved up a bit and stopped.

I tried to open the door but it was difficult so the man near me moved closer to me, I never suspected he wanted to rob me, I thought he tried to assist me in opening the door. As I dropped from the cab, I discovered that I have been robbed so I quickly raised alarm, they quickly threw down my money and sped off, so passers bye assisted in giving them a hot chase with Okada and apprehended the two of them”.
                       
It took the quick intervention of men from Special Anti Robbery Squared, SARS, for the suspects not to have died of the beating sustained by the  angry mob.

The robbers were arrested in a Mazda taxi cab, Registration number XD 358 KEY Kwara number and officially registered to taxi union with registration number LRN A5/ 264.

The Police Public relations Officer, DSP, Femi Fabode confirmed the arrest of the robbers and stated that they actually specialize in robbing people coming from banks adding that they have their own taxi with which they monitor bank customers and pretend that they are taxi drivers on commercial duty.