Police apprehend suspected Lagos-based bandit, others in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a suspected Lagos-based bandit and two others on the allegation of armed robbery.

The Lagos-based suspected bandit, identified as Idowu James, 28, is said to be a resident of No. 25 Kareem Oyeladi Street Mangoro in the Agege area of Lagos State.

Idowu was alleged to have snatched a vehicle at gunpoint from a victim (name withheld) on 4/11/2022 at about 7.00 pm around Ebrumede area in Delta.

The occupant of the vehicle was said to have been shot during the robbery attack and is currently receiving treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe confirmed the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the snatched vehicle.

“On 6/11/2022 at about 2100hrs, Dragon Patrol teams 15/13 while on stop-and-search duty along Warri-Sapele Road by Ibada-Elume in Sapele LGA, Intercepted one Lexus RX 330 SUV with reg no. KWC 81 HH, Chasis no. JTIHF31U400010242 For a search.

“The driver who was the lone occupant of the vehicle jumped out of the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush in a bid to escape. He was given a hot chase by the operatives and was arrested.

“During the investigation, the suspect was identified as Idowu James ‘m’ 28yrs of No. 25 Kareem Oyeladi Street Mangoro Agege Lagos State. When the car was searched, documents bearing the name of one Victor Olori were recovered.

“When a phone call was put across to the phone number found in the document, one man (name withheld) answered and informed the police that the vehicle was snatched at gunpoint from his son (name withheld) on the 4/11/2022 at about 1900hrs around Ebrumede Area during which he was shot and currently receiving treatment. The suspect is in custody aiding the investigation,” he said in a statement.

In a related development, two others alleged to have dispossessed their victims of assorted mobile phones were also arrested by police operatives in a similar matter.

The suspects, as learnt were nabbed in a bush after a hot chase by police operatives attached to DPO Orerokpe Division led by the DPO.

The police spokesperson who also confirmed the incident hinted that one locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from them.

He identified the suspected bandits as Desmond Ejinyere, 18 and Joshua Emoefe 20 years of Abraka Street Orerokpe.

He said: “On the 5/11/2022 at about 1215hrs, an indigene of Orerokpe (name withheld) reported that about 1140hrs, four (4) hoodlums armed with a gun attacked and dispossessed them of one (1) iPhone XR, one (1) iPhone 6s, one (1) Tecno spark 2, one (1) iPhone Max, Camon 19 and Uba Atm card at gunpoint. On receipt of this information, the DPO Orerokpe mobilized and led the patrol team to the scene.

“The hoodlums took to their heels on sighting the Police but the team succeeded in arresting one of the suspects named Desmond Ejinyere ‘m’ 18yrs while others escaped into the bush.

“One locally made cut-to-size double barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered. While combing the bush, another member of the gang Joshua Emoefe ‘m’ 20yrs of Abraka Street Orerokpe was also arrested. Manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”