LAGOS, JANUARY 14, 2017 – Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, have arrested two suspected robbers terrorising residents of Ire-Akari Street, Ejigbo and Isolo areas of Lagos.
The police identified the suspects as Chinedu Ajogwu, 24 and Uchenna Chukwudi Mbah, 33. The alleged ring leader simply identified as Small is said to be at large.
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 where they stole and vandalised vehicles.
The police alleged that while the operation was going on, victims alerted the DCP in charge of FSARS, Mr. Ibrahim Kaoje, who dispatched a team led by CSP Megida Dauda to the scene to arrest the suspects.
On sighting the police, the suspects opened fire but the police overpowered them with superior firepower and arrested two suspects while the alleged leader called Small escaped.
Items recovered from them include two operational vehicles and vandalized vehicle parts including two Infinity SUV headlight, 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, the two suspects allegedly confessed to the crime.
They told the police they have been robbing residents and vandalising vehicles in the area for the past two years. One of the suspects, Chinedu Ajogwu allegedly described ‘Small as their leader and owner of the guns used for the operation.
”We specialised 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,” Ajogwu said.
The suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on a two-count charge of robbery. The offences, 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 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 conditions.
