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Tag: traffic robbers

  • Ambode’s ex-aide robbed in traffic

    An aide to former Lagos State governor Ekene Okoro on Wednesday night fell victim of some traffic robbers on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    Okoro, who served as a press officer in the office of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary, said he was robbed around Cele Bus Stop on his way to his Ago Palace home at about 9:35pm.

    The hoodlums took away his wristwatch, handsets, and cash.

    Okoro, who described the experience as “traumatizing” said the hoodlums descended on other motorists after finishing with him.

    “Done with me, they ordered me to move. At this point, I felt they wanted to use me as a bait to raid other vehicles behind.

    Read Also: Two suspected robbers mobbed to death in Delta

    “As soon as I saw that they were distracted with their next victim, I zoomed off. The first thought was to run far away from the scene, second thought was to head back to my car and zoom off.

    “I listened to the second thought. I sneaked back to my car, approaching from the front and hoped to jump in and zoom off. Alas! they had taken my key as collateral damage,” Okoro said.

    Speaking with The Nation after retrieving his line at MTN office, Okoro said the person on the desk told him that he was the fourth person that came to retrieve his line yesterday.

    “Do you know what? All of us were robbed around that place. I hope our security agencies will focus on that area,” Okoro added.

  • Police arrest eight suspected traffic robbers

    Eight suspected traffic robbers were at the weekend arrested by the police in Lagos during a raid to tackle crimes, the command said yesterday.

    Seven of the suspects were nabbed near Ketu and Kosofe, one was held at Festac Town, said spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), in a statement.

    Elkana said Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu had directed an onslaught on hoodlums, who usually took advantage of gridlock to unleash terror on motorists.

    Among those arrested were a certain Garbazine, Ayomide Ayobami and Taye Onafowokan, both living at Agboyi Ketu and Bamidele Ogunbanjo, 30.

    He said a police surveillance team at about 5:30am on May 24, foiled a robbery attempt at Kosofe where Garbazine and two others were apprehended. The police recovered a phone from them and returned it to the owner.

    “The same day, the surveillance team at the same spot arrested two traffic robbery suspects attempting to rob road users. Two jack knives and a toy pistol were recovered from them.

    “On the same day, at about 12:05am, a surveillance patrol team deployed in Ketu bus stop arrested two traffic robbery suspects- Ayomide Ayobami and Taye Onafowokan, both living at Agboyi Ketu. A pistol with three live ammunition and a jack knife were recovered from them.

    “On the same day at about 1am, a surveillance patrol team attached to Festac Police Station arrested Bamidele Ogunbanjo, 30, of Prayer Estate, Amuwo Odofin. One locally- made pistol with one live ammunition was recovered,” Elkana said.

    The spokesman, who confirmed an earlier report by The Nation on the death of a motorcyclist, his wife and six-year-old son at Aga in Ikorodu, said reports made at the Igbogbo Division indicated that the man, Enifeh Akupa Omomo (Charles Enifa), 42, killed his wife, Faith and the boy, Glorious, before committing suicide.

    He also confirmed The Nation’s report last week about two young men found dead inside a grocery shop at Ojota.

    The police said they arrested two suspected cultists during the matriculation at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) on May 21.

    Elkana said a distress call was received by the policemen from Sabo Division and Balogun Oluwadamilare, 24, as well as Badmus Idris, 23, were arrested.

    “One Baretta pistol with four live ammunition and three expended ammunition were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is on. The suspects will be charged to court,” he said.

  • Police arrest six suspected traffic robbers

    The police in Lagos have arrested six suspected traffic robbers along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Alafia and Costain areas of the state.

    Three of the suspects, Daniel Ani, 19, Akinbode Muiz, 17, and Oluwasegun Emmanuel, 24, were arrested at about 10pm under Daleko bridge, Iyana Isolo, while robbing motorists in traffic. Two others, Olalekan Taoreed and Adeniyi Okunloye, 25, were apprehended at Alafia along Badagry Expressway on Friday night, while Godwin Okafor, 31, was held at Costain.

    Police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), in a statement yesterday said those arrested at Daleko confessed to be responsible for traffic robbery at Mushin and its environs.

    “They confessed to have stolen phones and bags from victims, as well as a bag containing N25,000, belonging to Oyebanji Ibukun of 14, Waheed Ologunju Street, Oke-Afa Isolo, Lagos before they were nabbed by the police.

    “Two knives and cutlasses were recovered from the suspects. Investigation is ongoing. The suspects will soon be charged to court.

    “The patrol team attached to Orile Police Station, at about 8pm on Friday, received a distress call that some traffic robbers were operating at Alafia, along Badagry Expressway.

    “The anti-robbery teams were quickly sent to the scene. Two suspects, Olalekan Taoreed, 20, of 20, Sunday Street, Ijora Badia and Adeniyi Okunloye, 25, of Alaba Road, Suru-Alaba were arrested.

    “One Samsung Duos phone stolen from one of the victims was recovered from them. One big sharp cutlass, which was used in inflicting injuries on their victims, was recovered from them. The suspects confessed to be responsible for traffic robberies at Orile and its environs. Investigation is on. The suspects will be charged to court.

    “Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu warns that tough times await traffic robbers with the deployment of surveillance teams across the state. The command will continue to make Lagos State difficult for criminals to operate. The CP calls on Lagosians to be vigilant at all times,” said Elkana.

    Okafor, who was arrested by policemen attached to the Task force on Environmental Sanitation, was said to be a notorious pickpocket who allegedly made between N80,000 and N100,000 daily.

    The task force said the suspect was the ringleader of a four-man gang that operated at areas of the state in a commercial bus, robbing victims of valuables.

    “The suspect was nabbed after he and three others now at large, jumped down from a commercial bus on top of Costain bridge immediately they suspected that a patrol team of the agency was chasing them from Ojuelegba,” said Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), in a statement by his spokesman, Taofiq Adebayo.

    He said the task force acted on complaints by commuters about the activities of criminals who used commercial buses to rob them.

    A resident of 127, Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Okafor, Adebayo said, confessed to have started as a bus conductor 15 years ago before graduating to pickpocketing.

    He said the suspect confessed further that his gang operated at different parts of the state, including Oshodi-Mile 2, Obalende, Pen-cinema, Agege, Ojota and Ikorodu Road, adding that any passenger who refused to cooperate was beaten and thrown off the moving bus.

    “We have been in this robbery and pickpocket business for long. We dispossessed our passengers of their valuables such as wallets, jewellery, including phones, which we sold as fairly-used to the public,” Adebayo quoted the suspect as saying.

  • Five suspected traffic robbers held

    •Weapons recovered

    The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it has arrested five suspected traffic robbers.

    They are Godson Mbanugo, Abiodun Oladimeji, Mubara Afeez, Dauda Moruf and Emmanuel Adeshina.

    Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal told reporters that a black toy gun and one cut-to-size locally made pistol were recovered from Afeez, Moruf and Adeshina, who were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at about 9pm on December 6.

    He said the police received information that hoodlums suspected to be traffic robbers were seen at Cement bus stop, and RRS operatives moved to the location where the trio were arrested.

    He said on November 17, policemen from Pen-Cinema, arrested Olamide Bello and recovered a cut-to-size locally made pistol with one live cartridge from him on Iju-Ishaga Road where he and members of his gang were robbing motorists.

    On December 1, following a distress call, Edgal said policemen from Ajangbadi Division and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) personnel arrested Mbanugo at a house on Opaleye street, Shibiri.

    “He was searched, during which a cut-to-size double barrel gun with seven live and one expended cartridges were recovered,” he said.

    Oladimeji was arrested on on November 16, while allegedly robbing motorists on Apongbon bridge. A battle axe and a jack knife were recovered from him.

     

  • Police arrest suspected armed, traffic robbers

    …Recover weapons

     

    The Lagos State Police Command Tuesday said it arrested five suspected armed and traffic robbers at different locations.

    The suspects are Godson Mbanugo, Abiodun Oladimeji, Mubara Afeez, 25, Dauda Moruf, 27, and Emmanuel Adeshina.

    According to Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, a black toy gun and one cut to size locally made pistol were recovered from Afeez, Moruf and Adeshina who were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at about 9pm on December 6.

    Read Also:Police in Edo to prosecute sellers, buyers of fireworks

    He said the police had received information that hoodlums suspected to be traffic robbers were seen at Cement Bus Stop, Ikeja and RRS operatives moved in to the location where the trio were arrested.

    “Similarly on November 17, at about 5pm, information was received from a credible source that some armed men were sighted robbing passers-bye of their valuables in traffic along Iju-Ishaga Road.

    “Police operatives from Pen-Cinema, Ikeja swiftly mobilised to the scene but the robbers fled in different directions when they sighted the police.

    “They were chased and Olamide Bello was arrested. A cut-to-size locally made pistol with one life cartridge was recovered from one of them. Investigation is ongoing with a view to apprehending other fleeing members of the gang for prosecution.
    “Then, at about 02:30am on December 1, a distress call was received from a compound in Opaleye Street, Shibiri, that armed robbers had invaded their house.

    “On receipt of the information, police operatives from Ajangbadi Division and FSARS, swiftly mobilised to the scene and arrested one of the robbers.”

    “He was immediately searched during which a cut to size double barrel gun with seven live and one expended cartridges were recovered.

    “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and gave his name as Godson Mbanugo. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting other members of the gang for prosecution.”

    Edgal said the police also arrested one Abiodun Oladimeji on November 16 who was allegedly robbing motorists at Apongbon Bridge, adding that they recovered a battle axe, Jack knife from him.

  • Police arrest suspected traffic robbers

    The police have arrested two suspected traffic robbers in Lekki, Lagos.

    Akpan Samuel and Ani Chukwuma, the command said, were notorious robbers, who specialised in robbing motorists on Lekki/Epe expressway.

    Police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), in a statement yesterday, said the suspects were nabbed last Monday by operatives of the command led by the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division, Isah Abdulmajid, a CSP.

    During interrogation, Oti said the suspects confessed that their modus operandi was to climb the pedestrian bridge at Maruwa bus stop, Lekki/Epe expressway.

    “At that vantage position, they were able to monitor the traffic and select their target. They, thereafter, swoop on their victims and rob them of their belongings by using hammer to smash side glasses and windscreens of motorists who refuse to roll down their glasses when ordered to do so. The hammer and an improvised pistol that looks like a perfect prototype of a berretta pistol were recovered from them,” he said.

    According to the police spokesman, motorists along that route will now heave a sigh of relief, as the suspects were remanded in Ikoyi Prison after their arraignment at Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos last Thursday.

    “Their activities were a source of concern to the command, thus the Commissioner of Police directed the DPO to mobilise assets at his disposal to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the hoodlums.”

    The CP assured that the area would be rid of criminals, as the command had increased surveillance along routes with heavy traffic.

  • Police arrest two traffic ‘robbers’

    The police have arrested two men for allegedly robbing in traffic.

    David Okon, 32, and Ibe Okonne, 27, said to be wanted criminals, were arrested at Mazamaza on Badagry Expressway.

    It was gathered that they were caught by plaincloth policemen, while terrorising road users.

    In a statement yesterday, the police said the undercover agents apprehended them as they were robbing a woman simply identified as Oluwatosin.

    “They had succeeded in dispossessing their victim of her phone and other valuables before they were arrested by the eagle-eyed policemen attached to Raider team, Area E Command, Festac Town, who had observed uneasiness in the woman’s encounter with the suspects,” said the statement by police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP).

    Oti said the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that the stolen items have been returned to the owner.

    He said: “To forestall incidence of traffic robbery along Maza-Maza/Mile Two, Oshodi/ Airport Road, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal has deployed additional undercover operatives and motorised patrol teams to beef up security in the areas.”

    Photo caption: Okon (bearded) and Okonne.

  • Police arrest two traffic robbers in Lagos

    Two suspected traffic robbers have been arrested in Lagos.

    David Okon, 32, and Ibe Okonne, 27, said to be wanted criminals, were arrested along the Badagry Expressway in Mazamaza.

    The duo were caught by plain clothed policemen while terrorising road users.

    According to the police, the undercover agent apprehended the suspects as they were robbing a woman identified as Oluwatosin.

    “They had succeeded in dispossessing the victim of her phone and other valuables before they were arrested by the eagle-eyed policemen attached to Raider team, Area E Command, Festac Town, who had observed uneasiness in the woman’s encounter with the suspects,” said police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    Oti said the suspects confessed to the crime, adding that the stolen items were returned to the owner.

    He added: “To forestall incident of traffic robbery along Maza-Maza/Mile Two, Oshodi/ Airport Road, the state Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, has deployed additional undercover operatives and motorised patrol teams to beef up security in the areas.“

  • Three suspected in-traffic robbers held

    Three suspected in-traffic robbers held

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives have apprehended three persons described as members of a robbery syndicate terrorising commuters and motorists around Bourdillion in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Joseph Edem, 24, Jamiu Musa, 29 and Gambo Yunusa, 30, were arrested over the weekend while allegedly perfecting plans for an operation.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) said: “Following the complaints from members of the public of incessant in-traffic robbery attacks around the axis; our men laid an ambush for them which led to the arrest of the suspects while others escaped. When the policemen combed the area, different weapons were recovered from their hideouts.”

    Disu said RRS’ bid to reduce crime in the state would continue until the criminals are routed.

    He said:”Policemen are complementing and re-launching a massive aggression to all criminal hideouts in the state. And these operations have since yielded positive results as many in-traffic robbers have been rounded up. We will continue this onslaught until zero level of crime rates within the metropolis is attained.”

    Some of the weapons recovered included four cutlasses, axes and iron rod.

    Confessing, Musa, who hails from Jigawa State, said he was not one of the robbers, but he knows Edem as a member of the syndicate operating in the area.

    “I and Yunusa are innocent. We only sell second-hand goods under the bridge before government dislodged us. In the evening, we relax under a tree in the field. But every evening, this boy (Edem) and his gang, numbering about 15 usually converge here to meet. Some of them will even come with travellers’ and school bags but I don’t know the content.  We just look at them from afar,” he said.

    Yunusa also denied membership of the notorious gang snatching handsets, bags and other valuables from motorists and passers-by, saying they were just  victims of circumstance.

  • Police arrest 12 suspected traffic robbers

    Police arrest 12 suspected traffic robbers

    The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 12 men, who allegedly rob motorists   during gridlock.

    They were arrested by the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) last Friday, following a tip-off from motorists, who ply the Mile 2 and Ijora route.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said: “The miscreants were fond of snatching mobile phones and dispossessing citizens of their valuables during gridlock along both metropolises. They attack victims by damaging their vehicles’ windscreens which makes them surrender under duress.

    “When we got to Task force office in Alausa, four suspects who gave satisfactory description of themselves were released while the remaining eight were charged to court,” Disu said.

    He recalled that the RRS operatives recently arrested a terrorist whose gang attacked motorists in the same route.

    “When we arrested him some weeks ago, he confessed that he was not the only one in the act, he said they snatched bags and phones during traffic jam. This current arrest shows they are his syndicate”, he added.

    He appealed to citizens to assist the Police with useful information, promised that informants’ identity won’t be revealed for fear of retaliation.