By Evelyn Usman & Cherechukwu Okoye

LAGOS—Operatives of  Zonal Intervention Squad, Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, have smashed an eight-man inter-state robbery gang, which terrorised residents in Lagos and Ogun states. They were given away by one of the phones they stole in an operation.

The robbery gang

Recovered from the suspects, who were arrested two months after one of their operations, were some stolen household appliances. During interrogation, the suspects, identified as Mutiu Oyekan, Akeem Sanusi, Olahusi Rasaq, Kazeem Oladipupo and Waheed Amusan, and three others, confessed to have operated in 15 areas in Lagos and Ogun.

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the arrest, disclosed that the suspects were arrested through one of the stolen phones. A resident of Arigbajo area of Ogun State, whose residence was invaded by the bandits, reportedly lodged a complaint to the police.

The complainant (names withheld), claimed that his stolen phone was still being used by the bandits. Explaining how they were arrested, Adejobi said: “The suspected robbers were placed under surveillance by the Zonal Intervention Squad before they were eventually arrested on September 25.

“The police operatives, who swung into action, worked with the police ICT experts and through detailed investigation arrested one Lekan Akinola, whose arrest led to the arrest of the other members of the robbery syndicate. “They confessed to have operated in Abata, Ifo, Ewekoro, Mowe, Adigbe in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and Iju Ota, Alakuko and Agege areas of Lagos State.

“Items recovered from them include refrigerators, laptops, plasma TV sets, generators, wears, electrical appliances and their operational vehicle, a Mazda Bus with number plates BDG 602 XM. Some of their victims had identified them and their stolen items, from those recovered by the police.

“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, has commended the police operatives for their commitment and detailed investigation that led to the arrest of the suspects. “He has, therefore, directed that the suspects be charged to court without delay, with a directive that other fleeing members of the gang be apprehended.”