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Jul 6, 2015

Ikorodu bank robbery: Police arrest four suspects

Top: Entrances of the banks burst by the armed robbers. Below from left: A victim agonises over her loss; the exit route of the robbers and some of the cars destroyed during the Ikorodu robbery incident, yesterday. Photos: Bose Adelaja.

Four suspected members of the gang, led by a lady, that robbed banks at Ikorodu, Lagos, a fortnight ago have been arrested by police in Lagos.

The robbers operated for close to two hours, carted away about N80 million from the two banks, using Ipakodo jetty as escape route.

Information at Vanguard’s disposal revealed that three of the suspects were arrested around Ikorodu,while the fourth was arrested in Ondo State.

Police sources revealed that the suspects at Ikorodu were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Friday, following a confessional statement by one of them.

It was gathered that the first suspect was arrested by some soldiers in Ogun State, with some bundles of naira notes in N1,000 denomination, which had the seal of the affected banks.

The suspect, it was gathered, was searched by the soldiers who suspected his movements.

Thereafter, the soldiers were said to have contacted the Lagos State Police Command, consequent upon which the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, directed SARS operatives to carry out further investigation.

Vanguard also gathered that the former SARS boss, Abba Kyari, and his former deputy, James Okeke, who had been transferred to force headquarters, Abuja, and a police division in the state were invited to investigate.

Okeke was said to have led operatives to Ondo, where the suspect was interrogated.

Police sources hinted that the suspect disclosed that he was on his way to his home town, Okitipupa, to hide.

He was said to have mentioned the names of three others, who reside at Ikorodu.

At the time of arrest, it was discovered that the suspects had used their loot to buy exotic cars and plots of land in Lagos and other South-West states.

So far, three cars, all SUVs, had been recovered from them.

The suspects have reportedly confessed that some of their members were recruited from different parts of the country.

Police sources stated that the investigation might be extended to neighbouring West African countries, where some of the suspects were said to have fled.

The arrested suspects are expected to be paraded today by the outgoing command boss, Aderanti, before handing over to his successor, Mr. Fatai Owoseni.

Contacted, spokesman for the command, Kenneth Nwosu, said investigation was ongoing and the public would be informed of progress made.

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