Etim Effiong
Police in Lagos have nabbed two traffic robbery suspects, Tunde Olaiya, 24 and Tokunbo Omotola, 26, in separate encounters and recovered some stolen phones.
The suspects, who were apprehended by the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad on Oshodi-Oke, were said to be those traffic robbers that had been terrorising motorists and drivers in traffic.
It was learnt that one stolen iPhone X was recovered from Olaiya, around 8pm on Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja route, in company with one Bolaji Nigga, who strangulated a motorist held in traffic light and stole his iPhone X.
Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, SP Bala Elkana, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects while returning to Oshodi to hand over the phone to their buyer, were intercepted by Rapid Response Squad bikers, who suspected them to be traffic robbers.
Speaking on Sunday, he said, “During search, one pass-worded iPhone X was recovered from his pocket. While his colleague escaped from the scene, Olaiya couldn’t explain, where he got the phone.
“This prompted the officers to take him to RRS headquarters, where he confessed to stealing the phone from a motorist in traffic.
“Other items recovered from the suspect include powdery substance used in traffic robbery to break glasses of vehicles.”
According to him, the victim, whose phone was retrieved from Olaiya, described his experience in the hands of the criminal as traumatic, and thanked the police for helping him retrieve the phone and SIM card.
He said, “Omotola, who is equally an ex-convict, was also arrested in Oshodi for traffic robbery. He confessed in his statement to the police that apart from robbery at night, he pickpockets during the day, adding that his robbery points were 7Up, Ojodu-Berger; Kara Bridge, Oshodi, Mile 12 and Ojota Bridge.
“Both suspects confessed that once the phones are collected, they removed the SIMs and sell them for N2000 each and sell the phones separately. He added that he has been in the business since 2017.”
He noted that the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has reaffirmed his commitment towards ridding the state of criminal elements, adding that the suspects would be charged.