Operatives of Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a notorious ‘one chance’ kingpin and two members of his gang after responding to a distress call while on routine patrol along Agege Motor Road in Ikeja.
According to Statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, that the suspects: Bode Oludayisin aged 53, Michael Sowunmi ‘m’ aged 22, and David Olawaye ‘m’ aged 20 were apprehended following an alarm raised by a victim who was being robbed by the syndicate in their minibus. One of the suspects was positively identified as a wanted gang leader linked to a series of violent ‘one chance’ robberies across Lagos.
Responding swiftly to the distress, the operatives intercepted the suspects inside an unregistered commercial minibus, which has now been confirmed as their operational vehicle. Recovered items from the suspects include a Tecno Spark 20 smartphone belonging to a victim, an axe, two concrete interlock bricks, several heavy stones suspected to have been used to assault past victims, and a broken bottle; all of which have been registered as exhibits and weapons.
Investigations revealed that the gang operated using commercial minibuses, commonly known as Korope, pretending to be ordinary passengers. They often picked up unsuspecting commuters from locations such as Oshodi and then diverted them to unknown locations, where victims were robbed under threats, violence, and intimidation. Following the breakthrough arrest, the Command’s Special Squad 1 has taken over the case to arrest other fleeing members and dismantle the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers for their swift response which led to the arrest of the wanted kingpin and the disruption of the gang’s operations.
He urges members of the public to be extra cautious, avoid boarding unmarked or suspicious vehicles, and to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
