Four members of the robbery gang, which
unleashed terror on two commercial banks in
the Ipakodo, Ikorodu area of Lagos two weeks
ago, have been arrested by the police.
Our correspondent learnt that the suspected
robbers were arrested from Okitipupa, Ondo
State, and Ikorodu, Lagos State, while three
Sport Utility Vehicles allegedly bought from
the proceeds of the robbery were recovered.
The suspects’ names were given as Monday
Akpan, Bright Agbojule, the third identified
simply as Jafaru, and one Baba Ibeji.
On Wednesday, June 24, the gang, which was
reportedly led by a woman, had stormed the
Ebute-Ipakodo branches of the First Bank and
Zenith Bank at about 8.30am, and carted
away millions of naira.
The robbers, who overwhelmed policemen
from the Ipakodo division, were said to have
carted away about N60m from the Zenith
Bank’s strong room, while N20m were stolen
from the bank’s ATM room.
The suspects, who dared policemen to
confront them, later escaped in two
speedboats at the Ipakodo jetty, Ikorodu.
Four persons, including a bank customer,
who were hit by bullets during the one-hour
operation, were taken to the General Hospital,
Ikorodu.
PUNCH Metro gathered that four members of
the gang were arrested by men of the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad, in an operation involving
a former SARS commander, SP Abba Kyari,
and an officer, DSP James Okeke.
PUNCH Metro gathered that one of the
suspected robbers, a week after the
operation, had headed for the Okitipupa area,
Ondo State, with a Lexus bought with the
proceeds of the robbery.
A police source told PUNCH Metro that the
suspect was arrested by soldiers, who were
on a stop-and-search exercise in Ondo State.
It was learnt that the suspect was also found
with bundles of new N1,000 notes with bank
seals.
The police source said the arrest was the
break that the police needed, adding that the
suspect later led policemen to arrest other
members of the gang.
He said, “The soldiers were on a stop-and-
search and they found the suspect, identified
only as Baba Ibeji, while on his way to his
home town in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
“During a search, they found bundles of new
N1,000 notes with bank seals in his bag.
“The soldiers, who were also aware of the
bank robbery in Lagos, smelt a rat and
contacted the Lagos State Police Command
on the development.
“The former CP, Kayode Aderanti,
immediately contacted experienced hands in
SARS for the interview of the suspect. The
suspect gave the contacts and names of
other suspects. The operatives subsequently
mobilised more officers to Ikorodu and made
some arrests.
“Three suspects were picked up by the police
in Ikorodu. Two of them had bought Sport
Utility Vehicles with the proceeds. All of them
had bought plots of land with their loots.
Three vehicles have been recovered for now.”
Our correspondent learnt that the suspects
would be paraded on Monday (today) at the
state command headquarters, Ikeja.
It was learnt that efforts were still being
intensified to get other members of the gang,
which reportedly numbered about 15.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations
Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the
arrests in a text message.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Kayode
Aderanti, will parade the suspects on
Monday, as he hands over to the new CP,
Fatai Owoseni, at the command
headquarters.”

Ok

That's great news. Kudos to Soldiers who carried out the stop and search! And the police too

Make I cross my leg de observe. Meanwhile, FEDERAL SARS need the bring this SP Abba kyari back, that man is too experienced, he has made so many hard criminals arrest during Manko's tenure as Lagos CP.