Precious Igbonwelundu
Two robbery suspects fleeing the scene after a failed attempt to snatch a vehicle were apprehended Friday night by Shagari Estate residents in Iyana Ipaja, the police said on Sunday.
Abbey Kolawole, 40, and Ikenna Eze, 30, had allegedly tried to snatch a car in which two occupants were having a conversation.
Failing to take the vehicle away, the suspects were said to have attempted to jump over a fence but were caught by residents who earlier heard a gunshot on the road.
It was gathered that the suspects and one Femi, now at large, had fired into the air to warn the occupants of the vehicle to leave.
According to sources, the unnamed occupants had auto-locked the car and wound up upon sighting the suspected robbers.
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It was gathered that Femi, who held a gun, attempted to fire a second shot at the passengers but the locally-made double-barrel gun was jammed.
“By this time, the residents of the area had emerged to check what was happening. The robbers fled in different directions and abandoned their gun.
“Kolawole and Eze were unfortunate they were caught and handed over to Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives,” the police said.
In his statement, Eze told the police that Femi was having a disagreement with one of the occupants of the vehicle, adding that he invited them to kill the person.
According to him, the person threatened to kill Femi, who decided to deal with him first.
“The man came to Femi’s house in Agege Abattoir with cult members and threatened to kill him. So, Femi invited us to his house so that he would deal with the man first.
“The plan was to shoot the man in the leg but after firing the first shot into the air, the gun hooked and before he could reload it, residents came out and were moving towards us.
“Femi was the one who knew the road. He escaped while we, strangers in that community, were arrested,” he told detectives.
Police said the suspects admitted they were members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities, adding that the locally made double barrel shot gun, an expanded and three live cartridges were recovered from them.
Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu commended the residents of the estate for cooperating with police and ensuring the robbers were apprehended, urging other communities to also partner the police.
The suspects were handed over to Gowon Police Station, Ipaja, for further action.
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