Four members of the 15-man gang which robbed two banks in Ipakodo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State on Wednesday, June 24. 2015 have been apprehended by the police.
According to Punch, one of the suspects was arrested in Okitipupa area of Ondo State while three others were arrested in Ikorodu with three Sport Utility Vehicles allegedly purchased with proceeds from the heist recovered.
The suspects who were identified as Monday Akpan, Bright Agbojule, one Jafaru and one Baba Ibeji were said to have been apprehended in an operation involving a former SARS commander, SP Abba Kyari, and an officer, DSP James Okeke.
Further findings reveal that one of the suspects was arrested by soldiers on a stop-and-search operation a week after the robbery as he was headed for Okitipupa with a Lexus SUV.
When searched, the suspect was discovered to be in possession of bundles of new N1,000 notes with bank seals.His arrested suspect led police operatives to arrest other members of the gang.
A police source 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.”
The suspects are to be paraded on Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja.Confirming the arrests via a text message, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu 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.”
