By Esther Onyegbula

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos State Police Command, have arrested an ex-convict for allegedly robbing a Portuguese couple in traffic at Marine Bridge, Ijora, Lagos State.

The suspect, Samuel Meme, 22, from Delta, an erstwhile scrap metal collector, said he targeted and robbed cars whose occupants are busy on their phones while in traffic.

Lagos CP, Fatai Owoseni

He said: “My plan was to operate alone that night. Luckily for me there was heavy traffic, which extended deep into the night in Marine Bridge. Just as I was planning to strike, I ran into Wasiu (still at large) and we decided to rob cars together.

“When we spotted a Toyota SUV, Wasiu and I positioned ourselves on both sides of the car and broke the two rear glasses. I collected the man’s phone, while Wasiu took his wife’s phone and her purse containing N60,000.

“The lady pleaded for her drug from the purse and I asked my colleague to give her and we left for another car.

“The next car was a Toyota Corolla, with a lone occupant. We broke the two side glasses too, but the lady insisted she had no phone so we collected her bag and jewellery.”

Recounting how he turned a robber, the suspect said: “Wasiu taught me how to rob in traffic and I have mastered the act. I operate alone.

“Occasionally, when I run into like minds, we rob whenever there is traffic on Marine Bridge. We sleep under Ijora Bridge and we are many that sleep there.”

“We are six guys in my gang. Four of them are in Kirikiri Prison. They are Gbenga, Imele, Tontolo and Lateef. I just came back from Kirikiri, where I spent three months. Robbery is not the only job I do. I do other menial jobs.”