MICHAEL AKINOLA
Police operatives from the Lagos State Command appear to be in supremacy battle with robbery syndicates, which specialized in snatching vehicles from owners, suspected to have been occasioned by the increase in price of vehicles across the country.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the price of various brands of vehicles has consistently been on the rise since the closure of the Nigerian borders and the attendant demand for second hand vehicles in Lagos State.
Thus, robbers discovered that they can easily snatch vehicles and equally sell them within some hours. Criminal elements moved into the business of car snatching, which has caused serious apprehension to vehicle owners.
Over the last couple of months, robbers had been on rampage snatching various brands of vehicles from their owners across the State, which drew the attention of the Police. And the Police deployed different departments to nip it in the bud, which has paid off following the recent arrest and recovery of some vehicles.
So far, the Police have arrested some of the key suspects including a 27-year old Ahamefuna Obinna Christopher, who was arrested on 10th November, 2023, in Ifako Gbagada area, after he snatched a Toyota Corolla with registration number, KJA 57 GR worth N7m belonging to Edem Comfort and escaped.
However, the matter was reported to Commissioner of Police Special Squad, which moved into action, arrested Christopher and recovered the vehicle.
While the investigation was still going on, another set of members of a deadly syndicate, Paul Daniel, 24, Julius Yakubu and others at large went to Blenco Bus Stop, Ajah area of the state and snatched a Toyota Matrix saloon car with registration number, AKD 308 HR worth N5m belonging to Ernest Michael and escaped. The same Police operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad moved into action and arrested the two suspects while others escaped and eventually recovered the vehicle.
Between January and August, 2023, the Police operatives have busted members of the syndicates, who specialized in snatching vehicles like the one led by a 43-year old lady, Adeshina Ayisat Ajoke and two others, Adejumo Fatai, 40 and Akintunde Akanni following intelligence reports received by the Commissioner of Police Special Squad of the State over their activities in the State.
During the investigation, the Police discovered that the suspects and others now at large were responsible for various car snatching incidents across the State including Alimosho, Shomolu, Bariga, Ebule Egba and other areas.
The Police also recovered various vehicles, which they stole during their various operations which included a Toyota Sienna worth N1.3m belonging to Awwal Sulaiman, Ford Ranger pick up belonging to Popoola Ayowole worth N5m.
Also recovered from the syndicate were Hyundai Santra SUV belonging to Abraham Adeyi, Toyota Sienna bus belonging to Ugochukwu Celestine and others including Honda City car recovered from the lady, Ajoke, which she had forged the documents and was using as her car.
The Police also recovered one Toyota Camry from one of suspects, Akintunde worth N4m as the receiver, which was snatched with arms during the operation.
After thorough investigation, the Police found the suspects culpable and consequently charged them before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy, stealing and armed robbery under the Criminal Laws of the State.