Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji Adele Road, Laos Island, have arrested two suspected notorious robbers terrorizing and robbing residents of Ire Akari street, Ejigbo and Isolo areas of Lagos, snatching and vandalizing vehicles in the area for long.
Police identified the suspects as Chinedu Ajogwu, 24 and Uchenna Chukwudi Mbah, 33.
The alleged ring leader simply known as ‘Small’ is said to be at large.
Police alleged that nemesis caught up with the suspects who claimed to reside at Ejigbo area of Lagos on 31 October, 2016 when they raided residential apartment, mechanic workshop and car sales outlets in the area to steal and vandalize vehicles.
Police alleged that while the operation was going on, victims sent a distress call to the DCP in charge of FSARS, Mr. Ibrahim Kaoje, about the incident.
The DCP dispatched a team led by CSP Megida Dauda to the scene to arrest the suspects and bring them to the station. And on sighting the SARS team, the suspects open fire on them and gun battle ensued during which the two suspects were arrested while alleged leader called Small escaped.
Items recovered from them, according to the police, include their two operational vehicles and vandalized vehicle parts such as two Infinity SUV head light, Golf headlight, 4 Corolla car door glass control, two brain boxes, one HP laptop, 1 generating set, 1 Mercedes car jack and 2 Honda car glass control.
During investigation, according to the police, the two suspect allegedly confessed to the crime and said that they have been robbing residents and vandalizing vehicles in the area for the past two years.
One of the suspects, Chinedu Ajogwu allegedly said “Small is our leader and the owner of the guns we used for the operation. We specialize in robbing residents, vandalizing vehicles at mechanic workshops, car sales outlets in the area and we normally sell the stolen items at the popular spare parts market in Lagos. We promise to stop stealing if we are set free”
The suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate court, Lagos on a two count charge of robbery.
The offenses according to the prosecutor, DSP Charles Odii, are punishable under sections 297 and 285 (1) of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and magistrate Mr. O. Owumi admitted them to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
Owumi adjourned the case till 13 February, 2017 for trial while the accused persons were sent to Ikoyi prison pending when they will perfect their bail condition.
