Joy Anyim
A decoy team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, has arrested a notorious phone dealer, Yusuph Da-Silva, who specialises in buying stolen mobile phones from armed robbers, cultists and pickpockets operating in Ogun and Lagos states.
The suspect, who was arrested after three months of relentless hunt for him, disclosed that he buys over 30 stolen phones a week and made between N25,000 to N30,000 daily from reselling the phones.
Da-Silva, it was learnt, was arrested, last Wednesday, over a robbery incident around Ifako-Ijaiye, where mobile phones, laptops and other valuables were carted away at gun point.
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The suspect, 28, popularly called ‘Da-Gold’ in Computer Village, Ikeja and Ifako Ijaiye areas of the Lagos State, had been on the run after police began a crackdown on the robbery gangs supplying him mobile phones.
Making confessional statement, the suspect said he maintained links with three armed robbery gangs who constantly supplied him with stolen phones and other valuables after their operations.
His words, “ The first gang consist of Abiodun Tajudeen (a.k.a Shalori), Drey, and Moshood Akinwande (a.k.a Orobo) who rob with a bike.
“The second gang, AY and his cohort; and the third gang is led by ‘Idaso’ and his boys.
“They are all notorious armed robbery gangs that specialise in robbing people at gun point around Fagba, Iju Ishaga, Oke Aro and Ifako areas.”
He continued, “I deal in smart phones. I have been a phone technician in Computer Village, Ikeja, since 2012. When I realised that wasn’t yielding enough money, I developed links with network of boys on the streets that gave me steady supply of phones. I wipe or flash them before selling them. I don’t collect their SIMS.
“They bring them to me daily. I get up to six or seven smart phones from them on daily basis and I sell to my customers in Computer Village.”
He added, “The sales from those phones fetched me between N25,000 to N30,000 daily.
“I don’t bother to ask them about how they get the phones because they have told me they were gotten through ‘Stop and Search’, (meaning they robbed their owners to get them).”
“ I am not a robber. Face to face, they would confirm to you. I bought the phones from them. I have never followed them to rob. What I do before is internet fraud before I started buying stolen phones from these guys.”
Da-Silva also said he sold some of the stolen phones in Computer Village Ikeja and shipped some to Kwara, Osun and Oyo States to make tracking of the stolen phones difficult for security operatives to retrieve if investigated.
Telling how he was arrested, Da- Silva said, “ Police crack team in Magbon arrested AY’s gang who linked me as the receiver of all their stolen phones and I was arrested.
“The Police later recovered about seven smart phones from me. I was later released.”
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“After the Magbon arrest, I resulted to wearing hoodie sweatshirts which I use to disguise to avoid security agents from identifying me as many more investigations were ongoing.
“I had different colours and designs of the hoodie sweatshirt and I often avoid some areas to avoid getting arrested while I continue my business. But somehow, the police arrested me again for buying stolen phones.”
Sources disclosed that Da-Gold stayed in Fagba Railway Line where he bought the robbed mobile phones before ferrying them to Computer Village, Ikeja, to sell them to retailers anxiously waiting for him.
It was gathered that many of the retailers preferred to meet him first so that they could buy some of the best phones from him.
The suspect was also dreaded around Fagba, which made it difficult for community members to co-operate with the police.
Da-Silva’s business at Ifako-Ijaiye, was said to have escalated robbery and cultism around Ifako-Ijaiye because he created a ready market for their loot.
Confirming the arrest of the suspect, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said the suspect has been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigations.