The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a two-man gang specialising in defrauding unsuspecting members of public around Cele Bus Stop, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
The suspects, Emmanuel Anyanwu, 39, an ex-convict and Kennedy Ujagbor, 42, a drug addict, were jointly arrested by the RRS officers at Cele Bus stop, when a victim from whom they had snatched his bag from the previous day identified them at a drinking joint.
Their victim, Sammy Bolaji, was on his way to Ogun State when he was stopped by the duo of Anyanwu and Ujagbor for his assistance. “They asked me if I knew a particular address and I told them that I was a stranger in that area”, he stated.
He explained: “As I made to leave them, one of them grabbed my bag from behind and took to his heels. The second one followed suit. I ran after them but I guess they knew the route more than I do, so they escaped before people around could even come to term with what was going on.
“Sadly for me, in that bag were a sum of N7, 500:00, two mobile phones, cloths and other personal effects. I had to discontinue the journey because all I had on me were gone. The following day, my mum chose to drive me through this same spot where my bag was snatched. Luckily for me, I saw these same guys sipping alcohol early in the morning very close to the spot. I alighted not telling my mom what I had seen, at least to confirm first.
“As things would work my way, I saw RRS’ patrol vehicle passing by and I waved them down, narrated all that happened yesterday and they followed me to where these guys were sitting. They were shocked to see me with the police. They interrogated them and arrested them after confirming the incident. They promised the officers that they would retrieve my bag for me in Ketu, where they sold it.”
Anyanwu, in his confession said: “We are swindlers. We are always on the street looking for people to defraud.
Yesterday, we met this guy. Our plan was to deceive him and it didn’t seem to work out, so we snatched his bag and ran away. His bag is in Ketu.”
“Normally, what we do is tell our victim that we are foreigners with a huge consignment of mobile phones and stationery. We would now pretend that we were in search of marketers with enough money to buy the goods. In the process, we persuade our victims to show interest in buying the goods by dangling before them an irresistible offer. If they show interest, we tell them to demonstrate their seriousness with a commitment by depositing their phones, money or jewellery. That is how we con them,” he explained.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police, Dolapo Badmus stated that the police would leave nothing to chance towards reducing crime in the state.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
PM News
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