Three suspected teenage robbers have been arrested by a team of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of the Lagos State Police Command after they snatched a handbag containing wraps of fufu and beef stew which they thought contained money.
The suspects, Daniel Dali, 19, Emmanuel Ashaolu, 17 and Bright Ikenna, 17, who specialised in snatching valuables using motorcycles, were arrested around 10:48pm on Friday, March 11, 2016 in the Ajegunle area of the state, Punch reports.
Dali, an okada rider from Cotonu, and Ashaolu were said to have snatched a handbag from a woman on the fateful day but were unlucky after the victim raised an alarm which attracted the RRS squad on patrol who engaged them on a hot chase.
The police caught Ashaolu while Dali escaped but was later apprehended alongside the other suspect, Ikenna, by a decoy team who combed the area.
The RRS commander, Tunji Disu said: “At the suspects’ apartment, two other roommates were arrested, but were later released after cross-examination by RRS officials.”
In a confessional statement, Dali stated that he joined the business of ‘okada-snatch-and-run’ in April 2015 following the death of his mother.
He said: “My mother’s death forced me into robbery. My mother gave me everything I wanted. After her death, I had no helper. Bright and I have been to four operations.
“In one of our outings, we snatched a recharge card worth N35, 000. He sold it and gave me only N5, 000. We don’t use guns; we have never operated with guns. We snatch valuables and escape on an okada. We have our routes. They are Boundary, Mile 2, New Roundabout, Wilma and Ajegunle.
“The okada we use was bought for me by a lady. I pay her in installment. I have paid N75, 000 out of N300, 000.”
The other suspect Ikenna said he had operated with the gang seven times, adding that several boys do the ‘okada-snatch-and-run’ business in Ajegunle.
He said: “I know of a team, which live in different hotels, sleep in day time and operate at night. This is the only job they do to survive.”
The state police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the incident said the suspects had given information that would lead to the arrest of more members of the gang.
He noted that the suspects had been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, SDCI for further investigation.
