The Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, on Sunday, said it has arrested three suspected robbers who operated in traffic along Mile 2 Bridge.
One of the suspects, Tunde Raphael, 24, allegedly explained how he and 19 other gang members dispossessed motorists and commuters of their belongings in the traffic.
The information was contained in a tweet via the Twitter handle of the Rapid Response Squad, @rrslagos767.
“Tunde, who was arrested in Mile 2 traffic at past 5:00 a.m. along with two other accomplices, Samuel Kolawole, 23 and Solomon Omini, 32, last Wednesday after a chase by the operatives of the RRS, said that the only job he had was robbing motorists and commuters of their belongings between 4:00 a.m and 6:30 a.m as well as at night,” a statement released by RRS on their Facebook page claims.
Continuing, the statement notes, “He disclosed that his gang worked in twos or threes holding toy guns, machetes, Jackknives, hammers, rods and other weapons to dispossess commuters of phones, money, jewelry, laptops and other prized possessions.
“According to him, it’s a job I have been doing for more than a year. As soon as we approach a car, we tell the occupants to bring out their belongings. Some would cooperate with us and give us their phones and money.
“Some would wind up. I laugh at them because we would break that glass or use our prepared mixture that when thrown at their side glasses, would bring them down gently and we would take all that we want and leave the place.
“We do this everyday. We know when to come and when not to. We work with the nature of traffic. We target passers-by too. Those going to work or traders going to market are our main targets.”
The RRS said the suspected traffic robber added that he was assisting an Indian hemp seller in Mile 2 before he was introduced to traffic robbery.
“He maintained that those who lured him into it assured him that he would make more money than assisting a hard drug seller who offered him only food,” RRS quoted the suspect as saying.
Commenting on the development, Police PRO, CSP Chike Oti, stated that the Police are intensifying efforts towards arresting traffic robbers in Mile 2 and other parts of the state.
He added that substantial progress has been made in that regard.
“The three suspects have been transferred to the F SARS office in Ikeja for further investigations,” RRS said.