A 26-year-old man, Yakubu Sadiq, a robbery suspect was caught by Okada riders and handed over to the Police when his gun went off prematurely during a foiled robbery operation at Igboelerin area of Lagos.
The suspect, who was arrested alongside his partner, one Ayemojuba Saidi, during weekend foiled robbery attempt, said he normally hired his operational gun for N5,000.
During investigation, he told operatives that his gang also specialised in burgling apartments, while occupants were away at their respective work places.
In an interview with Vanguard, Sadiq said: “We are seven members in the gang. We usually robbed motorcycles and sold them at give away prices. We board motorcycles—two persons on each.
“On the way, we would order the riders to get down. Thereafter, we would take the motorbikes to where we would sell them at give away prices. My share from the sale of stolen motorcycles ranged between N18,000 and N20,000.
“I rent guns from a friend who I met at a smoking joint. At the end of each operation, I pay him N5,000. “At times, we would look out for apartments whose occupants had either gone to work or market. We would go in from the kitchen and remove electronics. We usually sell the television sets at Alaba Market for between N15,000 and N17,000.
“We do converge at FOA Primary School, Cassidy, to smoke before embarking on any operation. At times we dispossess passers-by of their valuables if we did not succeed in any operation.”
Caught Narrating how he was arrested, he said: “The gun I had gave me away. Chucks and I went to Igboelerin to snatch a motorcycle as usual. As I was about to mount the motorbike, a bullet from the gun exploded, causing the motorcyclist to raise the alarm as he took to his heels.
“The motorcycle landed on me and before I could regain my balance, other motorcyclists descended on me and handed me over to the Police.”
Police sources hinted that Sadiq’s partner in crime, during the foiled robbery attempt, Saidi, had also been arrested, while efforts were on to arrest other members of the gang.
(Vanguardng)
