Policemen from the Lagos state police command have arrested an inmate of the Olokuta Prison, Akure, Ondo State, Fabian Oladele, who was among the 175 people who escaped from prison in 2013. He was imprisoned for robbery, snatching of cars from innocent victims and diversion of trucks.
Oladele, who hails from Okitipupa in Ondo State, was arrested by operatives of the Abba Kyrai-led Special Anti-Robbery Squad during a robbery operation at Ojodu Berger, Lagos, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
He had spent only 10 months out of his jail term for robbery in Ondo State, before a gang of robbers had reportedly attacked the prison, disarmed the wardens and freed some of the inmates on June 30, 2013.
After he escaped from prison, the 30-year old relocated to Lagos and joined forces with another gang of robbers who specialised in snatching expensive vehicles and diverting trucks travelling at night.
Vehicles snatched by the gang included a Mercedez Benz 406, which had been recovered by the police, a Nissan vehicle and a Toyota SUV.
After his arrest, the suspect had led the police to places where the gang had sold stolen vehicles and trucks in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states.
According to police report, Oladele’s gang also diverted a truck loaded with fuel and sold to a buyer in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Other trucks said to be diverted by the gang were sold to buyers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Ilesha, Osun State.
During interrogation, Oladele who claimed to be a graduate from College of Education in Ondo State said he returned to robbery after his escape from prison because of greed and bad friends.
He said, “I was among the 175 prisoners who escaped from the cell on that night. The incident happened in the midnight.
“It was when I left the prison that I relocated to Lagos. I had earlier been sentenced to prison because of my friend who robbed a house implicated me.
“We were both in the cell together, but I was not sure if he escaped. At that time, I had spent only 10 months.”
“A friend invited me to Lagos. I met one Alhaji Kosomona who had his own gang.
“I joined forces with him . I really regret taking that action now.
“Before she died, my mother had warned me to desist from bad company, but I did not listen. I am reaping the consequences now.
“I was given N100,000 for each operation.
“Alhaji Kosomona and my other gang members are in the cell of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad now.”
However, Oladele, who is wanted by the Ondo State SARS, might be transferred to Akure for further investigation.
