The police have apprehended four suspected members of the robbery syndicate that unleashed mayhem on the Lekki area of Lagos on Thursday, March 12.
The alleged robbers are, 38-year-old Duke Odogbo, who is the leader of the gang; Lawrence Kingsley, 31; Ebi Tosan, 20; and Ekelemo Kuete, 30. They were rounded up in Delta, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states respectively.
Odogbo, who hails from Warri, said the gang killed the policemen because they were prepared to set aside anything that will hinder the operation, adding that they made away with over N15m.
His words, “I am an Ijaw man living in Delta State. I was invited to Lagos to take part in the operation. I am not the gang leader, but only an expert. We were initially at a hideout around the Langbasa River till about 4pm.
“When it was time to move, we entered into two speedboats. I wore a military uniform and we entered into Lekki from the riverside. When we got to the bank, I was the first person to enter.
“We were 11 in number, and we had seven guns. In the banking hall, I asked for the bank manager, but they said they could not find him. We found some little cash ─ about N15m─ in a sack.
“While the operation was going on, others were outside, shooting to secure the area. It was on our way back that I found two rifles with them. They told me they collected them from the policemen they killed.
“What happened was that the policemen were in a van, and were passing by. They thought they came for us and we could not take chances. So, they shot them and took their guns. On our way out, we tried to open the Automated Teller Machines, but when they did not open on time, we took the machines with us.
“I was arrested in Warri. I got N500, 000 for my part in the operation.”
Items recovered from the suspects include a Honda Accord, bought from the proceeds of the operation, two smart phones as well as 130 rounds of ammunition.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Kayodi Aderanti who identified the three deceased officers as Inspector Bethel Agbobu, Sergeant Odehohwo George, and Corporal Imoisiu Ikechukwu, said the other members of the gang will soon be apprehended.
His words, “The incident was a serious security breach in the Lekki area. It captured the attention of all because five lives, including three of our officers, were lost. I made a promise that we were going to get these hoodlums, and we have done that. Lagos is not a place where criminals can hide; we are going to continue to ensure safety of lives and property.Meanwhile, efforts are on to arrest other members of the gang.”
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