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.”
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