Operatives of Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a notorious ‘one chance’ kingpin, Bode Oludayisin and two members of his gang.
Police arrested the suspects while responding to a distress call along Agege Motor Road in the Ikeja area of the state.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed that the suspects were arrested after a victim raised an alarm while being robbed in the suspects’ minibus.
Aside from Oludayisin, Hundeyin named other suspects as Michael Sowunmi, 22, and 20-year-old David Olawaye.
He said one of the suspects was positively identified as a wanted gang leader linked to a series of violent ‘one chance’ robberies across Lagos.
The PPRO said, “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.”
According to the PPRO, investigations revealed that the gang operated using commercial minibuses, commonly known as ‘Korope,’ pretending to be ordinary passengers.
The police imagemaker further narrated that the suspects 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,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh applauded the officers for their swift response which led to the arrest of the wanted kingpin and the disruption of the gang’s operations.
He urged 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 or through the Command’s emergency lines – 08063299264, 09168631003.
