The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four members of a notorious interstate armed robbery syndicate that specialised in stealing vehicles across multiple states.
The suspects — Taiwo Alabi (42), Ogedengbe Lewis (46), Ighodalo Enato Francis (37), and Osaro Eghe Abiodun (34) — were tracked down in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Edo States after detectives launched an investigation into a car snatching incident in Lagos.
One of the suspects was reportedly a priest in a well-known church in Benin City, while another worked as an Uber driver in Lagos. The driver admitted he was aware that his passengers were robbers, revealing they carried their weapons in a suitcase and paid him ₦500,000 for a single operation.
Following his arrest, police operatives recovered several items from the gang’s hideout on Godwill Street, Idowu Egba, along Isheri-Igando Road. The recovered items included a semi-automatic pump-action rifle, an English pistol, 48 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 46 live cartridges, a cutlass, charms, and four vehicles — two Lexus ES350 cars, a Toyota Sienna, and a Corolla.
Speaking at the scene, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, confirmed the gang’s arrest stemmed from a case involving a civil servant whose vehicle was stolen after he picked up two passengers around the Lekki/Ajah area. The unsuspecting driver was attacked and dispossessed of his car in an isolated location.
The Commissioner cautioned residents against offering rides to strangers in their private vehicles, describing it as “a dangerous practice that criminals now exploit.” He urged Lagosians to always provide information about suspicious activities to the police to enhance public safety.
Jimoh commended the tactical teams for their swift action, noting that the operation spanned several states and demonstrated the command’s capability to tackle violent crime.
One of the recovered car owners, whose vehicle was stolen along the Lagos–Ogun border, expressed gratitude to the police, saying he was attacked by armed men who made away with his Lexus. He thanked the tactical squad for recovering it without demanding any payment.
The Police Command also acknowledged the support of the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for providing logistics and technical assistance that contributed to the successful operation.
