Police nab 15 suspected traffic robbers, recover arms, offensive weapons

By OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

A press release signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos state Police Command and made available to Daily Independent, said, the police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, between Friday 29th and Saturday 30th January, 2021, arrested 13 suspected traffic robbers in Oshodi and Ketu (Alausa) areas of the state, as it intensifies efforts in mopping up criminals suspected to be attacking motorists and commuters in traffic.

Stating that the arrest came at the heels of 4-day surveillance on black spots of the areas where investigation reports revealed were criminals who pretend to be load carriers in Oshodi, but abscond with travellers’ loads at dawn and at night. It has also been gathered that they often attack and rob unsuspecting Lagosians, especially travellers and commuters, in the areas.

The suspects were picked up by the Rapid Response Squad’s (RRS) Commander, CSP. Olayinka Egbeyemi’s led team between 10:45pm on Friday and 4:30am on Saturday at Oshodi Oke and Alausa respectively.

The suspects that were picked up in Oshodi included Tinuola Ajibola,m, (18), Adeniji Farouk, m, (16), Wale Ajetunmobi, m, (24), Chibueze Okasa, m, (17), Taiwo Goodluck, m, (36), Sodiq Timileyin, m, (23), Salami Alex, m, (21), Umar Abubakar, m, (20), Micheal Iroaja ,m, (36), Abba Mohammed, m, (20) and Mukaila Fasepe, m, (43).

While the other two suspects, Saviour Nwoko (21) and Ayomide David (19) were caught in the act by the team, at different locations, with machetes and stolen phones in Alausa Lagos.

David, alias Sharwama, one of the suspects and ex-convict, has disclosed to the police that his gang use to operate along Olowopopo Road, Ojodu and Ojota.

In another development, police operatives attached to Meiran Division of the command have arrested two (2) suspected armed robbers at Ikola Ipaja Bridge, while on pin down point, on 27th January, 2021 at 11.20pm.

The suspects were stopped on a motorbike before they were arrested and searched. Upon search, a locally-made pistol, charms and weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them.

The 2 suspects are Oluwadamilare Folami, m, 22 and Desire Chukwu, f, 21.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has directed that the fifteen (15) suspects be transferred to State CID Panti, Yaba for proper investigation, while assuring the good people of Lagos State of adequate security and conducive environment to live in and do businesses as expected. (Daily Independent)