The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate said to be behind a series of violent attacks on motorists within and outside the state.
In a statement on Friday, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspects were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Command’s Tactical Squads between October 15 and 17.
The suspects — Taiwo Alabi (42), Ogedengbe Lowis (46), Ighodalo Enato Francis (37), and Osaro Eghe Abiodun (34) — were arrested at their hideout in the Igando area of Lagos.
According to the statement, the gang specialised in posing as passengers to gain access to vehicles before robbing unsuspecting drivers at gunpoint.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had also been linked to multiple robbery operations across Ogun, Oyo, and Edo States, where they employed similar tactics.
Items recovered from the suspects include one automatic pump-action shotgun, one Beretta pistol, 48 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 46 live cartridges, a cutlass, assorted criminal charms, and four vehicles — a Toyota Sienna, two Lexus ES350 cars, and a Toyota Corolla.
Adebisi said the arrests followed weeks of coordinated surveillance and intelligence gathering, adding that the suspects have confessed to several car-snatching incidents.
She said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the gang who are still at large.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the modus operandi of the gang involved posing as passengers to enter commercial vehicles and later robbing unsuspecting private drivers of their vehicles at gunpoint.
“One of the vehicles was snatched in Lagos, while the others were reportedly robbed in Ogun, Oyo, and Edo States using the same modus operandi.
“All the suspects were meticulously tracked, trailed, and arrested across the states mentioned above. The successful operation followed weeks of coordinated surveillance and intelligence gathering on the suspects.
“Investigative efforts are being intensified to apprehend other gang members currently at large. The Lagos State Police Command remains fully committed to dismantling all forms of crime, criminality, and criminal syndicates in the State,” Adebisi stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents that the Command remains determined to rid Lagos of criminal elements.
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