8th August, 2012
Eight Mushin robbery suspects who allegedly robbed and killed their victims have been arrested by operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSAS, at Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, southwest Nigeria.
The suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on an eight-count charge of felony to wit, murder, armed robbery, attempted murder, terrorism and unlawful possession of fire arms.
The suspects are Lukmon Lawal a.k.a. Oko, 47, Monsuru Ibrahim, a.k.a. Danglish, 48, Ibrahim Sanni, a.k.a. Ilayi, 27, Taye Fashina a.k.a. Okiku Omo Iyaeleba, 25, Fatai Babalola a.k.a. Olongbo, 32, Saheed Shittu, 22, Rasheed Olarewaju a.k.a. Legacy, 33 and Omotosho Akande a.k.a. Tosho.
Investigations by the police revealed that the accused persons who had been on the wanted list of the police for the past two years were arrested by a team of police detectives led by Inspector Banjoko Oluwemimo for killing about four persons and robbing others.
Some of their victims, the police said, include a 9-year old girl identified as Lateef Aminat on 7 December, 2010, Shina Ajah who was directly shot on 22 September, 2010, Adedeji Adenuga was murdered on 22 February, 2009 and Adesina Kazeem who was shot at a close range on 8 January, 2011.
They were also alleged to have robbed Rasheed Sikiru of his N25,000 and a Blackberry handset in 2010 in Mushin, while armed with guns and other dangerous items.
During interrogation, the accused persons allegedly confessed to the crime and led the police to their hideout inside Awolowo Market in Mushin where arms and ammunition were recovered.
Items recovered, according to the police, included AK47 rifle with number 29167, pump action gun, police baton and live ammunition.
The offences committed by the defendants, Supol Jayeola Oloruntoba said, contravene Sections 6(b), 1(2) a 27(b) of the Robbery and Fire Arms (Special Provision) Act laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Sections 231, 221, 401 (2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
Their plea was not taken because the court lacks jurisdiction to try the matter.
The presiding magistrate, Mrs. Oshodi Makanju, ordered them remanded in prison custody pending the advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, on the matter.
Meanwhile, residents of Mushin have commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar for supporting the police in Lagos State to check robberies and other criminal activities.
—Paul Iyoghojie