Ikorodu Bank Robbers Arrested

Four members of the robbery gang, which unleashed
terror on two commercial banks in the Ipakodo,
Ikorodu area of Lagos two weeks ago, have been
arrested by the police.
According to Punch, the suspected robbers were
arrested from Okitipupa, Ondo State, and Ikorodu,
Lagos State, while three Sport Utility Vehicles
allegedly bought from the proceeds of the robbery
were recovered.
The suspects’ names were given as Monday Akpan,
Bright Agbojule, the third identified simply as Jafaru,
and one Baba Ibeji.
On Wednesday, June 24, the gang, which was
reportedly led by a woman, had stormed the Ebute-
Ipakodo branches of the First Bank and Zenith Bank
at about 8.30am, and carted away millions of naira.
The robbers, who overwhelmed policemen from the
Ipakodo division, were said to have carted away
about N60m from the Zenith Bank’s strong room,
while N20m were stolen from the bank’s ATM
room.
The suspects, who dared policemen to confront
them, later escaped in two speedboats at the
Ipakodo jetty, Ikorodu.
Four persons, including a bank customer, who were
hit by bullets during the one-hour operation, were
taken to the General Hospital, Ikorodu.
PUNCH Metro gathered that four members of the
gang were arrested by men of the Special Anti-
Robbery Squad, in an operation involving a former
SARS commander, SP Abba Kyari, and an officer,
DSP James Okeke.
PUNCH Metro gathered that one of the suspected
robbers, a week after the operation, had headed for
the Okitipupa area, Ondo State, with a Lexus
bought with the proceeds of the robbery.
A police source told PUNCH Metro that the
suspect was arrested by soldiers, who were on a
stop-and-search exercise in Ondo State.
It was learnt that the suspect was also found with
bundles of new N1,000 notes with bank seals.
The police source said the arrest was the break
that the police needed, adding that the suspect
later led policemen to arrest other members of the
gang.
He said,
“The soldiers were on a stop-and-search and
they found the suspect, identified only as
Baba Ibeji, while on his way to his home town
in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
“During a search, they found bundles of new
N1,000 notes with bank seals in his bag.
“The soldiers, who were also aware of the
bank robbery in Lagos, smelt a rat and
contacted the Lagos State Police Command on
the development.
“The former CP, Kayode Aderanti, immediately
contacted experienced hands in SARS for the
interview of the suspect. The suspect gave the
contacts and names of other suspects. The
operatives subsequently mobilised more
officers to Ikorodu and made some arrests.
“Three suspects were picked up by the police
in Ikorodu. Two of them had bought Sport
Utility Vehicles with the proceeds. All of them
had bought plots of land with their loots.
Three vehicles have been recovered for now.”
Our correspondent learnt that the suspects would
be paraded on Monday (today) at the state
command headquarters, Ikeja.
It was learnt that efforts were still being intensified
to get other members of the gang, which
reportedly numbered about 15.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer,
DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the arrests in a
text message.
He said,
“The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti,
will parade the suspects on Monday, as he
hands over to the new CP, Fatai Owoseni, at
the command headquarters.”