a woman was allegedly robbed of N3.2 million and her vehicle, according to the Lagos State Police Command.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, revealing that the Rapid Response Squad successfully tracked down and apprehended the suspects.
The gang leader, Sheriff Owolabi, who had been on the police’s wanted list for a previous robbery and murder in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, was arrested after confessing to the crime. Another gang member, Ibrahim Gambo, was subsequently apprehended in the Ibafo area of Ogun.
Investigations uncovered that the stolen vehicle was taken to Ibadan and sold to a suspected receiver from Cotonou, Benin Republic, known as Alhaji. The suspects confessed to a series of car snatchings in Lagos, disclosing that the vehicles were consistently sold to the same buyer, Alhaji, from Cotonou. Additionally, Sheriff Olakunle was arrested in Mushin for aiding the suspects in selling stolen phones in the area.
The suspects cooperated with the police, leading them to a point-of-sale (POS) operator who facilitated the cashing of money transferred from the victim’s account.
The alleged robbery involving Owolabi and his gang occurred on November 14 around 10 pm when the victim was leaving her office in Oregun, Ikeja. The suspects reportedly forcibly took her into her Toyota car (Reg. No. BWR 49 DE) and drove away. They compelled the woman to transfer approximately N3.2 million from her account to an account provided by the suspects, and also robbed her of her phones. After taking her money and belongings, the suspects abandoned her at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Hundeyin stated that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend the suspected receiver of the stolen items. In a related development, four individuals were arrested for allegedly robbing road users in traffic along the Ojota area, following a tip-off from a victim. The Rapid Response Squad promptly acted on the information, arresting three suspects on Sunday, while the fourth suspect was apprehended on Monday.