- His Strong Ties with Security Chiefs |
| By Ronke Kehinde |
Names, such as Dr. Ishola Oyenusi, Bello Jaguda, Mighty Joe, Lawrence Anini, Shina Rambo and Godogodo would ring a bell in the ears of Nigerians anytime they are mentioned.
These are names of notorious armed robbers who held the country by the throat at various times.
But who has ever heard of Ocean Blue?
He lived, reigned and died as king of Lagos underworld, and no one could stop him because of his military ties. He was living in Ojo Cantonment.
Now, the police have made some striking disclosures about the shadowy underworld robbery kingpin, who has never been mentioned in any crime report. And the revelations show how powerful political forces sometimes frustrate police efforts.
According to police, the name, Ocean Blue, was a recurring decimal in major armed robberies in Lagos between 1994 and 1999.
“But whenever the police arrest him, a top army officer would come to his rescue,” a police officer told Chief Detective while recounting his encounter with the gang leader.
His words: “In 1994, we arrested this robbery kingpin during a surprise raid after a tip off from one of his associates. We were told that he had just returned from an operation and he was drunk and dead asleep. We stormed the hideout and found him that way, along with arms and ammunition.
“We arrested him and took him to the station for interrogation. While the interrogation was on, we received a call from the headquarters asking us if we had a suspect named Ocean Blue at the station. We said yes; and we were asked to transfer his case to the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) at the headquarters. We complied.
“We later learnt that a military officer secured the release of the notorious bandit through the Lagos State Commissioner of Police then, Mr. James Danbaba.
“Every time he lands in police net, a top army officer would contact police authorities and the suspect would be asked to go and sin no more.
“That was somebody we got with arms, and who was allegedly supplying robbers with arms at that time; and he was living in Ojo Cantonment.
“Years later, we learnt that this man had set up a thriving spare parts business, with the business name Ocean Blue Investment, at the Alaba International Market.
“We learnt that he killed the woman who blew his cover, but he was eventually double-crossed and killed by a rival gang, years later.”
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