Police Nab Ikorodu Bank Robbers

Four members of the robbery gang which raided two commercial banks in the Ipakodo, Ikorodu area of Lagos two weeks ago, have been arrested by the police. The suspected robbers were arrested from Okitipupa, Ondo State, and Ikorodu, Lagos State, while three SUV’s which were allegedly bought from the proceeds of the robbery were recovered. The names of the arrested suspects are; Monday Akpan, Bright Agbojule, Jafaru, and Baba Ibeji. It will be recalled that on June 24, the gang, which was reportedly led by a woman, stormed the Ebute-Ipakodo branches of the First Bank and Zenith Bank at about 8.30am, and carted away millions of naira. The robbers were said to have carted away about N60m from the Zenith Bank’s strong room, while N20m was stolen from the bank’s ATM room.
The suspects later escaped in two speedboats at the Ipakodo jetty, Ikorodu. According to Punch Metro, four members of the gang were arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, in an operation involving a former SARS commander, SP Abba Kyari, and an officer, DSP James Okeke. The paper further learnt that one of the suspected robbers, a week after the operation, had headed for the Okitipupa area, Ondo State, with a Lexus bought with the proceeds of the robbery. A police source told Punch Metro that the suspect was arrested by soldiers, who were on a stop-and-search exercise in Ondo State. The suspect was also said to have been found with bundles of new N1,000 notes with bank seals. The police source said the arrest was the break that the police needed, adding that the suspect later led policemen to arrest other members of the gang. He said, “The soldiers were on a stop-and-search and they found the suspect, identified only as Baba Ibeji, while on his way to his home town in Okitipupa, Ondo State. “During a search, they found bundles of new N1,000 notes with bank seals in his bag. “The soldiers, who were also aware of the bank robbery in Lagos, smelt a rat and contacted the Lagos State Police Command on the development. “The former CP, Kayode Aderanti, immediately contacted experienced hands in SARS for the interview of the suspect. The suspect gave the contacts and names of other suspects. The operatives subsequently mobilised more officers to Ikorodu and made some arrests. “Three suspects were picked up by the police in Ikorodu. Two of them had bought Sport Utility Vehicles with the proceeds. All of them had bought plots of land with their loots. Three vehicles have been recovered for now.” Also, efforts are still being intensified to get other members of the gang, which reportedly numbered about 15. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, who confirmed the arrests, said, “The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, will parade the suspects on Monday, as he hands over to the new CP, Fatai Owoseni, at the command headquarters.”

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