Police Arrest Border Robbers

Two robbery suspects, Saheed Adekunle, 30, and Ogunmuyiwa Adeola, both from Ibadan, Oyo  and Abeokuta, Ogun states southwest Nigeria, who allegedly snatch exotic vehicles in Lagos from their owners and ferry them to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, have been arrested.

They were nabbed by operatives at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island, with four locally made pistols, at Ajilete area of Ogun State.

They allegedly concealed the guns inside a bag at the time they were arrested inside a chartered taxi by the operatives on a stop and search mission.

The suspects were on their way to Lagos State after they reportedly disposed off the vehicle they allegedly snatched at Ojuelegba area of Surulere, Lagos.

They have been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, on a two-count charge of felony to wit, unlawful possession of firearms and robbery.

The suspected border robbers

The police alleged that the accused were arrested at Ajilete area of Ogun State when they laid an ambush for them following information that the accused had snatched a car at Ojuelegba and headed toward Idiroko border enroute Cotonou to sell the car.

During interrogation, they allegedly confessed to the crime that they allegedly snatch exotic cars for their boss they identified simply as Alhaji A.A. who usually sells them in Cotonou. They revealed that he resides at Ojuelegba.

In his alleged confessional statement to the police, Adekunle said: “Alhaji A.A. gave us the guns we use to rob and snatch vehicles in Lagos State and drive them to Idiroko border from where Alhaji A.A. would ferry them to Cotonou to sell.

“But our regret is that we have used all the money we realised from the business to sleep with prostitutes at the railway line, Mushin, and drink beer.

“We always sleep at an Indian hemp joint at Akala,Mushin to evade police arrest. We pray to God to forgive us our sins.”

The weapons recovered from the suspects include one double barrel, locally made pistol, one single barrel Ghana made pistol and 21 rounds of live cartridges.

After investigation by Inspector Oluwemimo Banjoko and his team, the suspects were charged to court.
The prosecutor, Supol C.N. Odii said, the offences are punishable under sections 6 (b) and 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act R11, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The plea of the accused was not taken because the court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. F.O. Botoku ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, on the matter.
She adjourned the matter till 20 March, 2013 for mention