By DEBORAH AKPEDE

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspected members of a “one-chance” robbery syndicate in the Ikeja area of the state.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Hundeyin said that operatives from the Ikeja Division apprehended the suspects after responding to a distress call while on routine patrol along Agege Motor Road in Ikeja.

“A notorious ‘one chance’ kingpin, aged 53, and two members of his gang, aged 20 and 22, were apprehended following an alarm raised by a victim who was being robbed by the syndicate in their minibus.

“One of the suspects, the 53-year-old, was positively identified as a wanted gang leader linked to a series of violent ‘one chance’ robberies across Lagos.

“Responding swiftly to the distress, the operatives intercepted the suspects inside an unregistered commercial minibus, which has now been confirmed as their operational vehicle,” he said.

Hundeyin stated that items recovered from the suspects included a Tecno Spark 20 smartphone belonging to a victim, an axe, two concrete interlocking bricks, several heavy stones suspected to have been used to assault past victims and a broken bottle.

“All recovered items have been registered as exhibits and weapons,” the spokesperson said.

He stated that investigations revealed the gang operated with commercial minibuses, popularly known as “Korope,” with members disguising themselves as ordinary passengers.

“They often picked up unsuspecting commuters from locations such as Oshodi and diverted them to unknown places, where the victims were robbed through threats, violence and intimidation.

“Following the breakthrough arrest, the Command’s Special Squad I has taken over the case to track down other fleeing members and dismantle the criminal network,” he said.

The spokesperson said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers for their prompt action, which led to the apprehension of the wanted kingpin and the disruption of the gang’s operations.

He added that the CP urged the public to be cautious, avoid boarding unmarked or suspicious vehicles and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines: 08063299264, 09168631003. (NAN)