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Four robbery suspects said on Monday, in Lagos, that they met one another in the prison yard, where they became friends and resolved to form a formidable robbery gang after serving their various jail terms.
Four robbery suspects said on Monday, in Lagos, that they met one another in the prison yard, where they became friends and resolved to form a formidable robbery gang after serving their various jail terms.
The robbery suspects are Moshood Oyedeji, Emmanuel Aneke, Chinedu Aneke and Mukaila Olotin. They were arrested at Kresta and Festac areas of Lagos State, based on the alleged confession of Oyedeji who was the first to be arrested.
These men were among 14 robbery suspects paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adewole Ajakaiye, at the command headquarters, GRA, Ikeja.
Looking pale and emaciated, and some with fresh gunshot wounds, the suspects recounted to journalists their individual experiences in armed robbery, just as many of them said they were invited to the 'business" by a friend and they never knew it was going to be robbery.
Ajakaiye noted that ten of the suspects participated in bank robberies that became pervasive in the metropolis recently, and had all confessed to the commission of the crime.
The police boss told our correspondent exclusively that police detectives picked up most of the suspects from their various homes as early as 4am. 'Some were apprehended as they were planning early morning escape from their houses," Ajakaiye said.
Explaining how the newly formed Anti-Bank Robbery Strike Force had battled bank robbers in recent times, Ajakaiye noted that the team had arrested five members of the gang that attacked a commercial bank in Lawanson area of the state about nine days ago.
In the last two months, 23 armed robbery suspects have been killed by policemen in the command, while 37 others were arrested during encounters with the security agents.
Besides, seven assault rifles, 31 locally made pistols, 152 live ammunition, 2,130 cartridges, as well as several house-breaking implements and giant size gas cylinders have been recovered from the suspects. All these items were exhibited on Monday.
Promising Lagosians that his men were poised to breaking the ranks of hoodlums in the state, Ajakaiye thanked his officers and men for their bravado and acknowledged the support of members of the public and the media.
The Punch, Tuesday, June 14, 2005