A 41-year-old robbery suspect, Sunkanmi Adeoye, is currently cooling off inside one of the cells at the Lagos State Police Command, has revealed that he went into crime for funds to purchase baby items for his pregnant wife.

According to Adeoye, who was arrested alongside Kamurudeen Kadiri, 30, and Owoseni Adekunle, 27, “Aro got me involved in the operation after I complained to him that I needed cash to take care of my pregnant wife, and also purchase baby items as she will soon put to bed.

“He told me we were going for a robbery operation and I agreed to be part of it because he assured me that I will get money from it. I am a photographer, but I need help,” he said.

Explaining further, Adeoye said “It was Aro that introduced me to Kamurudeen and Owoseni. I didn’t know them before the robbery operation. This is our first child; my wife doesn’t know that I have been arrested.”

It was learnt that the trio are members of an interstate robbery syndicate that specialised in snatching and selling stolen cars in Lagos, Ondo and Ogun states.

The three suspects were arrested on August 31 around Berger area in Lagos, while trying to sell the metallic grey-coloured Toyota Corolla that they stole in Ondo state.

However, the leader of the gang is still at large.

‘Speaking on how he got involved in the robbery, 27-year-old Owoseni Adekunle said: “I started by stealing and selling people’s generators. I made between N15, 000 and N20, 000 each time I stole and sold a generator. From there I began to steal and sell Cocoa.

“I don’t drink, smoke or womanise, I used the proceed I made from petty stealing to feed. I am a tiler but I hardly get jobs. It was Aro that got me involved in the robbery. He informed me about the operation. He took us to the location because he is familiar with the area.

“We went for the operation at about 3a.m., while people were asleep. When we got to the house, Aro tore the net on the window and used a very long stick to take the car key from a stool where it was placed. The stick has a nail inserted in middle.

“Aro gave me the car key after collecting it and I drove the car from Akure to Lagos-Ibadan Road, where we waited for the buyer. We were arrested while waiting for the buyer,” he added.

Confirming their arrest, spokesman of Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang and the suspects would be arraigned in court after the investigation. (Vanguard)