A member of a gang of robbers that terrorize bank customers in a community in Lagos metropolis, has been nabbed after a collaborative operation between okada riders and the police.
A 27-year-old suspected robber identified as Olaide Mutairu, who is among a gang of notorious armed robbers that terrorize and rob bank customers in the Ilasamaja area of Lagos state, has been nabbed by the gallant officers of the Lagos Police Command.
According to reports, the Ibadan, Oyo State indigene, had allegedly entered Abimbola Street in the area with other gang members on two motorcycles and were about to attack their victim when policemen in the area engaged them in a gun battle where three of the suspects escaped and Mutairu fell off the motorcycle and was apprehended.
A police source said the suspect was the leader of the gang. “On Friday, June 17, we got a tip-off that some robbers had been sighted in the area. Some of our officers mounted motorcycles and went to the street where the suspects were purportedly sighted.
“When the robbers saw the police team, they opened fire on them. The police returned same and overpowered them. Three of them, who fell off the motorcycle quickly ran across the express and joined a crowd. We had to cease fire to avoid civilian casualties,” the source said adding that the suspect was unlucky and was apprehended.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an okada rider in the area, said motorcyclists in the community joined forces with the police due to the high rate of robbery in the area.
“We got a bad name because of these robbers, who I believe operate on information. They always go after bank customers.
“When we saw the suspicious movements of the gang that Friday, we alerted the police. Our suspicion proved accurate when the robbers started shooting,” he said.
The suspect, however, denied the allegation, saying he was riding a motorcycle when he was attacked and arrested. “I don’t know what they are talking about. I was on my way to Mile 2, where I live with my mother, when the police stopped me and injured me. I didn’t know what my offence was until I got to the police station. I was the only one on the motorcycle and I don’t have any gun.”
SP Dolapo Badmos, the Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the arrest, urged residents of the state to always be on the alert to inform the police on any suspicious movements in their area, adding that the suspect would be arraigned in court at the end of investigations.
