Four suspected members of a robbery gang that
unleashed terror on the Lekki area of Lagos on
Thursday, March 12, have been arrested by the
Lagos State Police Command.
Our correspondent learnt that the suspected
robbers ─ Duke Odogbo, 38, said to be the gang
leader; Lawrence Kingsley, 31; Ebi Tosan, 20;
and 30-year-old Ekelemo Kuete ─ were arrested
in Delta, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Friday, March 13,
that three policemen and a fish seller were killed
by the gang which stormed the First City
Monument Bank Limited on Admiralty Way in
the Lekki area.
It was also reported that the robbers, numbering
about 13, arrived at the bank, wielding AK-47
rifles and shooting sporadically for 30 minutes,
during which the 14-year-old fish seller, Sarah
Ibikunle, and three policemen were killed.
Our correspondent gathered that after the
attack, the Commissioner of Police, Kayode
Aderanti, met with all commanders of the
command’s combat units and assigned the task
of fishing out the gang members to the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad, led by SP Abba Kyari.
It was learnt that six decoy teams of SARS were
deployed to arrest the suspects from Lagos and
the other three states.
Speaking on Wednesday, Odogbo, from Warri,
Delta State, said they killed the policemen
because the gang was prepared to deal with
every resistance.
He added that they came with seven AK-47 rifles
and carted away over N15m in the operation.
He said, “I am an Ijaw man living in Delta State. I
was invited to Lagos to take part in the
operation. I am not the gang leader, but only an
expert. We were initially at a hideout around the
Langbasa River till about 4pm.
“When it was time to move, we entered into two
speedboats. I wore a military uniform and we
entered into Lekki from the riverside. When we
got to the bank, I was the first person to enter.
“We were 11 in number, and we had seven guns.
In the banking hall, I asked for the bank
manager, but they said they could not find him.
We found some little cash ─ about N15m─ in a
sack.
“While the operation was going on, others were
outside, shooting to secure the area. It was on
our way back that I found two rifles with them.
They told me they collected them from the
policemen they killed.
“What happened was that the policemen were in
a van, and were passing by. They thought they
came for us and we could not take chances.
“So, they shot them and took their guns. On our
way out, we tried to open the Automated Teller
Machines, but when they did not open on time,
we took the machines with us.
“I was arrested in Warri. I got N500,000 for my
part in the operation.”
Also, Ekelemo, who reportedly drove the
speedboat, said they took off from the Majidun
area. He, however, denied that he was one of
those that shot the policemen.
He said, “I was the driver of the gang. I drove the
speedboat. I am also an Ijaw man. I stay around
the Arepo area of Ogun State. It was my
brothers who called me to participate in the
robbery. We call one of the gang leaders, O.C.
We had taken off on that Thursday from the
Majidun area.”
Our correspondent gathered that the police
recovered a Honda Accord, 2008 model, bought
with the proceeds from the robbery. Two smart
phones, stolen from the bank workers during the
operation, were also recovered from the gang,
as well as 130 rounds of ammunition.
The police identified the three deceased officers
as Inspector Bethel Agbobu, Sergeant
Odehohwo George, and Corporal Imoisiu
Ikechukwu.
The CP said efforts were on to arrest the
remaining members of the gang, adding that
residents of the state should trust the police to
guarantee safety of lives and property.
He said, “The incident was a serious security
breach in the Lekki area. It captured the
attention of all because five lives, including three
of our officers, were lost. I made a promise that
we were going to get these hoodlums, and we
have done that.
“Lagos is not a place where criminals can hide;
we are going to continue to ensure safety of lives
and property.
“Meanwhile, efforts are on to arrest other
members of the gang.”

Ok, nah

Thunder wey go fire these Armed robbers still dey drink origin.

Phew

They deserve to die walahi!

Just 15M for the carnage

I wonder why they won't rob those (Polithiefcians) robbing them blind

You rob a bank, make headlines nationwide, kill 5 people and got a miserable 500,000?

Abeg these guys have failed as honest men and as criminals. Just let them face firing squad

15m Recovered 500k. Money flies

500k pere....dese guys deserve jungle justice walahi

Idiots here ve been saying that d police mite ve arrested the wrong guys!

What amount of can make this foods put 5 families in agony?

Must confess here,my first time to witness a good neat job by the police,may God bless only these police men for me ooo! And shame others who have derailed in policing Amen!

Mynd44:
You rob a bank, make headlines nationwide, kill 5 people and got a miserable 500,000?

Abeg these guys have failed as honest men and as criminals. Just let them face firing squad

You just cracked a rib in me with the emboldened.

godsamist:
Must confess here,my first time to witness a good neat job by the police,may God bless only these police men for me ooo! And shame others who have derailed in policing Amen!

Truth is that when police want to work they can really work, especiallly when they kill their men. Its just that they are blinded by corruption and lack of motivation.