Police Smash Traffic Robbery, Pickpocket Syndicate, Arrest 14 Suspects

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday smashed a seven-man pickpocket gang as well as another
seven-man traffic robbery syndicate (known as one chance), who specialise in robbing with commercial buses.

The operatives also recovered two commercial buses used by the gangs in operations along Oshodi – Mile 2 Expressway.

The 14–seater buses with Lagos registration numbers KTU 716 XS and GGE 532 XL, are presently at the RRS Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.

The arrested commercial bus robbers were identified as 42-year-old Akeem Fatai, 24-year-old Jerry Nwokoro, 29-year-old Olayinka Tadius, 36-year-old Lucky Thompson, 31-year-old Stanley Augustine, 25-year-old Ubah Kenneth and 48-year-old Henry Ate.

In the same vein, the arrested pickpockets were identified as 17-year-old Habib Nurudeen, 23-year-old Oyemi Ilesanmi, 30-year-old Kenneth Okojie, 24-year-old Chinedu Uzubi, 26-year-old Ajakaiye Christopher, 23-year-old Samson Uwaneze and 24-year-old Wasiu Kazeem.

THISDAY gathered that although the suspects were picked up majorly at Ajegunle, six of the suspects were picked up at hotels in the area, where they usually lodge.

The others were picked up during their operations at different bus stops along Mile 2 – Oshodi and Oshodi – Iyana Ipaja route, following the tip-off from members of the public of incessant attacks around the axis.

In his confession, one of the traffic robbers, Ate said they operate in shifts – morning and evening, adding that they retire to their hotels in the afternoon after morning operations and re-group later in the evening.

He said, “As at the time we were arrested, more than half of us had gone out for morning shift operations. Seven of us were picked up at various bus stops in Oshodi – Mile 2 route while in operations.

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