Lagos Pickpocket Sets World Record as Police Nab Robbers in Military Uniform …RRS Impounds Vehicles for Breaking Curfew, Covid-19 Order

Matilda Omonaiye/

A pickpocket in Lagos has landed in police net after setting what could be a world record by stealing over 240 mobile phones from commuters within a year.

According to the police, 27-year-old Ayomide Sikiru, a resident of Akala, in Mushin, was arrested at about 10 p.m. by the Rapid Response Squad after he allegedly picked a Tecno Camon 12 from the hand bag of an elderly woman when she was trying to board a commercial bus to Ojodu-Berger, in Lagos.

Lagos police spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi told NewsmakersNG in a statement: “The suspect, after stealing the phone, tried to alight from the bus but was restrained by a passenger who challenged him to return the phone he stole. He denied stealing any phone until RRS officers stationed at Iyana Oworo searched and recovered the phone along with an iPhone 7 and another mobile phone from his bag. The owners of the phones had been contacted immediately.

“Sikiru disclosed that he has been in the business of pickpocketing for a year and two months after learning the illegal ‘business’ in 15 days from one Sakiru. He also confessed that he operates only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.”

Adejobi also mentioned the arrest of a man, identified as Johnson Godday, who was allegedly caught in the Nigerian Army Uniform while attacking and robbing some commuters in Ogudu Area of Lagos on February 21.

Adejobi stated: “One Onyebuchi Nwanga of No. 24, Bayo Oshinowo Street, Ogudu, Lagos reported that at about 22:15 pm of Sunday 21st February 2021, while alighting from a tricycle with his friends at Emmanuel Street junction, they suddenly noticed two men, on a motorcycle, in military uniform, who attacked them and snatched his Infinix Smart 5 phone.

“He further stated that when they raised an alarm, the policemen attached to Ogudu Division on duty around the scene came to their rescue and arrested the suspect in Army uniform while the other, also in the Nigerian Army uniform, escaped with the motorcyclist. The snatched phone was immediately recovered from the suspect.

“In the course of the police investigation, Johnson Godday, from Edo State, confessed that he was attached to NA 149 Batallion, Ojo, Lagos before he was dismissed from the Nigerian Army.”

Meanwhile, nine vehicles have been impounded in the Agege area of Lagos by RRS officers enforcing the curfew and Covid-19 protocols order.

Adejobi stated: “The RRS operatives in compliance with the order of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu on enforcement of the curfew and COVID-19 protocols, impounded nine vehicles in Agege. The nine vehicles were impounded by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, who was also in Agege at the early hours of Friday 19th February 2021, to engage community stakeholders on the security situation in the Agege area.

“The impounded vehicles included six buses (Danfo), a Toyota Hilux, Honda Accord and Ford pickup.

“Their registration numbers are GGE 240 XZ, SMK 696 YA, AAA 869 YD, LSD 322 GE, KTU 466 FH, JJJ 877 YC, AAA 773 XH, EPE 241 XZ and an unregistered Volkswagen transporter.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the cases to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba, for proper investigation, while the owners of the impounded vehicles are immediately charged to the mobile courts at Taskforce office Oshodi. CP Hakeem Odumosu however vowed to remain resolute in fighting against crimes and criminality in the state.” 

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