RRS smashes teenage motorcycle robbery gang

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three teenage robbers, who use commercial motorcycle for their operations.

Members of the gang comprising Daniel Dali, 19, Emmanuel Ashaolu, 17, and Ikenna Bright, 17, were arrested on Friday at 10:48 p.m. in Ajegunle by the surveillance team of RRS on patrol of the area.

Dali, a commercial motorcycle rider also known as ‘okada’ rider from Cotonou and Ashaolu, were reported to have snatched an hand bag from a lady, an allegation they admitted at the RRS Headquarters in Alausa but unknown to them, the bag contained two wraps of “fufu” (cassava paste) and stew.

Their victim shouted for help and this prompted the RRS team to pursue the duo on motorcycle, leading to the arrest of Ashaolu while Dali escaped.

The RRS team mobilized a decoy Team of RRS Intelligence who combed the area at the dead time of the night thus leading to the arrest of Dali and Bright.

At the suspects’ apartment, two other roommates were also arrested but later released after cross-examination by the RRS officials.

However, Dali on interrogation stated that he is the motorcycle rider for the syndicate and that he started the business of snatching items from people and escaping in April 2015 after the death of his mother.

“My mother’s death forced me into robbery. My mother gave me everything I wanted. If I needed anything, I went to her and she provided it for me, even when I was working. After her death, I had no helper. I mean, there was nobody to turn to again. My father lives in the village in Cotonou but I don’t want to go back there,” the suspect said.

He added that: “I have been attacked during an operation before and abandoned at Ago–Hausa, Ajegunle but woke up the following day. I have been involved in countless robbery operations.”

Dali further confessed that “Bright and I have been to four operations. In one of our outings, we snatched a recharge card worth N35,000. He sold it and gave me only N5,000. Although there are occasions when we get nothing from operations but we don’t use guns. We have never operated with guns. We snatch bags, phones and other belongings and escape with okada.

“We have choice routes we operate. The areas we have operated are Boundary, Mile 2, New Roundabout, Wilmer and Ajegunle. Emmanuel Ashaolu was operating with Poly before he joined me.”

According Dali, “The okada we use was bought for me by a lady. I pay her by instalment. This is the third she would be buying for me. One was stolen at gun point, another, faulty and then this. I have only paid, N75,000 out of N300,000.”

On his part, Nnkenna Bright said he had only operated seven times.

“During fuel crisis, we suck fuel from vehicles parked on the streets to operate. Several boys do this business in Ajegunle. I know of a team, who live in different hotels, sleep in day time and operate at night. This is the only job they do to survive,” he said.

The suspects have been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

According to the PPRO, the suspects are giving useful information that would lead to the arrest of more members of the gang.