We rob motorists, passengers with toy guns – Suspects

A gang of suspected armed robbers, who were arrested by the police in Lagos, have explained how they made use of toy guns to rob motorists and passengers during their operations.

Our correspondent learnt that the police accused the suspects– Okeke Christian, Paul Igwe and Akazue Nwakonuche– of robbing motorists and passengers in commercial buses and tricycles in several parts of the state.

It was gathered that the suspected robbers were nabbed by the Ikotun Police Division on December 11 in the Ikotun area of Lagos shortly before an operation. They were arrested at about 9.30pm, and afterwards handed over to the state Special Anti-Robbery Squad for further investigation.

PUNCH Metro learnt that while the three suspects had been arrested by the police, a fourth member of the gang, identified simply as Nwankpa, was still at large.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, 26-year-old Nwakonuche from Anambra State, said the gang started to threaten their victims with toy guns when they could not secure real guns for their operations.

He said, “I came to Lagos in 2010 to stay with an uncle in Ikotun. That was where I met the gang. Later, my uncle travelled to India and left a small shop for me. It was Paul (Igwe) who brought the idea of robbing tricycle drivers and passengers to the gang. He also brought Nwankpa to join us.

“Our mode of operation is to use toy guns to rob motorists and passengers. All of us had toy guns and cutlasses. But on that Thursday, we went to the Ikotun Roundabout and entered a tricycle with the purpose of robbing it. At a point, we pointed our guns to the driver, and he melted.

“But when he suspected we had toy guns, he gave out a shout, and some vigilance members got after us immediately. They gave us a chase, pursuing us into the hands of the police.”

Nwakonuche, who said he was first among eight children, added that he had dropped out of secondary school as a result of financial difficulties.

Christian, 29, also from Anambra State, said he was selling ladies’ wares in Ikotun area before he was lured into the gang.

“My role during the operation is to search the commercial bus, tricycle and abandoned bags for money, handsets and other valuables. Before I joined the gang, I used to sell ladies’ wares in Ikotun. It was Paul (Igwe) who brought me into the gang. Now, I regret taking that decision.”

Twenty-year-old Igwe, who is said to the gang leader, told our correspondent that it was true that he organised the gang, and planned their operations, adding that they sold every tricycle they snatched for at least N150, 000.

He said, “My alias is wiper. I am the gang leader. I brought the idea of robbing motorists, passengers and snatching tricycles. I met my gang members at our hemp smoking joint. One man named Roughman is the receiver of our snatched tricycles. He bought each from for us at N50,000.”

Our correspondent learnt that the driver of the tricycle, Mr. Chukwudi Ebirim, was also beaten up by the gang and sustained injuries, before the police arrested the suspects.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, adding that investigations were ongoing on the matter.

He said, “The suspects have been arrested. The SARS are continuing investigation into the matter.”