Joy Anyim
Two robbery suspects in the habit of attacking motorists held in traffic and collecting their belongings, have been arrested by operatives of Rapid Response Squad(RRS), on patrol in Oshodi – Oke, Lagos State.
The suspects, Tunde Olaiya, 24, and Tokunbo Omotola, 26, were arrested in separate encounters, as the former stole an iphone X.
Olaiya, an ex – convict, had around 8:00 p.m. last Monday, in Ojodu – Berger, Ikeja, while in company of one Bolaji Nigga, strangulated a motorist held in traffic light and stole his iphone X.
It was learnt that the duo while returning to Oshodi to hand – over the phone to their buyer were intercepted by RRS bikers, who suspected them to be traffic robbers.
On search, one pass-worded iphone X was recovered from his pocket. While his colleague escaped from the scene. Olaiya couldn’t explain where he got the phone. This prompted the officers to transfer him to RRS Headquarters, where he confessed to have collected the phone from a motorist in traffic.
Other items recovered from the suspect included powdery substance used in traffic robbery to break glasses of vehicles.
Confirming the arrest of the suspects, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), Bala Elkana said the victim, whose phone was retrieved from Olaiya described his experience in the hands of the criminal as traumatic.
Elkana said he thanked the Police for helping him retrieve the phone and SIM card.
Also speaking on Omotola’s arrest, the PPRO said that he was equally an ex – convict.
“ He confessed in his statement to the police that apart from robbery at night, he pickpockets during the day adding that his robbery points were 7Up, Ojodu Berger; Kara Bridge, Oshodi, Mile 12 and Ojota Bridge.
“ Both suspects confessed that once the phones are collected, they remove the SIMs and sell them at N2000 each and sell the phones separately. He added that he has been in the business since 2017.”
Elkana said the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu has reaffirmed his commitment towards ridding the State off criminal elements, as the suspects will be charged to court.
