Lagos police have arrested three suspects allegedly linked to robbery operations involving five vehicles, valuables worth about N50 million and the theft of a traditional ruler’s bag.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers allegedly linked to multiple robbery operations involving five vehicles and valuables estimated at about N50 million.
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
Tijani said operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested the suspects, aged between 26 and 31, at different locations in Lagos following actionable intelligence.
According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations linked the suspects to alleged robbery operations conducted on August 23 and September 30 along the Ife Expressway in Osun State.
He said about five vehicles were allegedly stolen during the operations, while valuables estimated at N50 million were reportedly taken.
Tijani also said the suspects were linked to the alleged robbery of a notable traditional ruler in Ondo State.
One Toyota van, with registration number BDJ 180 AJ and registered in Oyo State, was recovered from the suspects, according to the police.
The commissioner said the suspects had made statements to investigators and were assisting the command in efforts to recover other allegedly stolen vehicles, apprehend other members of the suspected gang and recover weapons allegedly used in the operations.
He said investigations were continuing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement and recover additional weapons.
During interrogation, one of the suspects, identified as a 32-year-old ex-convict, allegedly told investigators that members of the gang stole a bag containing money belonging to the traditional ruler after spotting the ruler’s vehicle parked by the roadside.
The suspect said another member of the alleged gang took him to the location, where they encountered the traditional ruler’s vehicle while returning to Lagos from an earlier operation.
According to his account, the gang member allegedly took the bag and placed it inside their vehicle before they continued their journey to Lagos.
The suspect claimed he was later dropped off in Lagos and said he did not know the bag was inside the vehicle until police officers informed him.
“I did not know that such a thing was inside the motor. It was when the police told me that I discovered that the king’s money was inside,” he said.
He said the group was subsequently tracked by the police, leading to his arrest.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he joined the group because he needed money to start a business and said he had previously traded in machine spare parts.
He also acknowledged having previously served a prison term and expressed regret over his alleged involvement in the robbery.
“I will not try this thing again in my life. I just did it because I was looking for a little money to start a business,” he said.
The police said the investigation remains ongoing.
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