Joy Anyim
Two Nigeriens who specialise in breaking into shops and warehouses in major markets in Lagos, have been arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Police Command.
The gang comprising: Isa Seidu, 21, Mamoud Abubakar, 34, were arrested alongside two of their Nigerian accomplices, Tairu Melaye, 25, and Lucky Chukwudi, a 43-year-old driver, who helps the gang to transport their loot.
It was gathered that the suspects met their waterloo after looting boutiques and shops at the popular Balogun market.
Parading the suspects on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu said the suspect were arrested based on information that had filtered to the police.
Odumosu said: “ On February 5, 2020 information was received from a reliable source, that there exists a syndicate of notorious burglars, who break into phone shops, boutiques, at Balogun market, Lagos Island, Ajah and its environs. On receipt of the information, operatives from RRS were drafted to closely monitor the area.
“The exercise paid off, in that on February 10, 2020, at about 2 a.m. the syndicates were arrested while breaking into a shop at Balogun market, Lagos Island. Items recovered from the suspects included 97 pairs of shoes, seven fabrics, children wears and Lady’s bags. ”
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The Commissioner of Police said investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the gang at large.
Seidu who said he has been leaving in Nigeria since 2015, disclosed he was arrested for a similar offence in 2017, which earned him a two year jail term.
In his confessional statement, Seidu said: “ I am from Niger. I have been leaving n Nigeria since 2015. I work as a cart pusher in Nigeria. When I was 18, I had broken into someone’s shop at Balogun market. I was arrested and jailed for two years. I was released after the court discharged me.
“However, on this present case, I joined people in looting shops on the day there was a fire outbreak at Balogun market. I did not break into the shop, people were afraid to go into the burning building to carry their goods, but some of us, summoned courage to go in and we carried goods.
“I was arrested while I was carrying out the act. Before now, when I loot shops, I send the loot to my home country, where it is sold. I also get to send between N10,000 and N5,000 to my mother after selling the loot.”
Chukwudi who said he hails from Edo state, denied the allegation, saying he was only a taxi driver, contacted by the suspects to drive them to different destinations.
He said: “I am a taxi driver at Boundary in Ajegunle. I have taken them to CMS severally, so they have my contact and call me from time to time to carry goods for people. But I do remember that on a particular day, I drove them to an unknown destination, based on their direction, where they went to break shops, and made away with goods. I warned them not to get me involved in such business again, and I was afraid to report to the police.
“They even gave me a phone that day, but I was later arrested because of the phone. I spent so much to secure my bail. I was surprised when they led the police to me because I had sold my car in January, and stopped taxi business. They had gone for the operation that led to their arrest February, I was not involved. They are just indicting me in what I know nothing about. ”
