CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The residents of Ipaja area of Lagos were thrown into wild jubilation after Police operatives from Ipaja Division led by CSP Tokumbo Abaniwonda arrested two notorious motorcycle robbers while attempting to rob in the early hours of the morning. P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the two suspected robbers identified as Matthew, 20 and Abayomi, 19, went to rob in the morning at Abesan Junction in Ipaja area as usual at about 5am, not knowing the DPO, CSP Abaniwonda, had gathered intelligence over their activities and mobilised her officers.
It was when the suspects had robbed an undisclosed woman of her phone and bag and were trying to escape that they were apprehended by Police operatives, who were monitoring their activities that morning.
The Police also recovered their operational motorcycle as exhibit and kept at the Police station.
The arrest of the suspects triggered jubilation in the area after the news spread. Some residents trooped to the Station to take a look at the suspects that had been terrorising them for quite a long time. They commended the DPO and her officers, who had worked diligently to apprehend the suspects.
The recent arrest may have ended the operation of Okada robbers in area. Few weeks ago, another gang of Okada robbers led by one Emmanuel was apprehended by the Police in the area with a short gun and transferred to the SCIID Panti over armed robbery.
While the SCIID were investigating Emmanuel and activities of his gang, the second set led by Matthew and Abayomi were arrested, which caused jubilation in the area.
When P.M.EXPRESS correspondent visited Ipaja Police Division, the DPO, CSP Abaniwonda, was said to have gone for routine checks around the Division.
However, Police sources and some residents confirmed the incident echoing that the residents were in celebration mood over the arrest which had been a source of worry before the DPO came to the Division.
The Police sources said that the suspects will be transferred to the SCIID Panti, Yaba, for further investigation.