Serial car robbers arrested in Ibadan

Two robbery suspects, who specialised in snatching exotic cars in Ibadan, have been arrested by men of Special Anti-robbery Squad of the Oyo State Police Command. Read more

A member of the gang, Iyanda Dauda, 32, was arrested at a relaxation centre in the Oje area of Ibadan after snatching a Toyota Picnic car with plate number, Lagos KTU 494 AE, on September 3.

The state command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Ilobanafo, said the owner of the vehicle, who works with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, reported to the police that he was robbed at gun point around the Ile Titun area of Ologun-eru in the city.

She said, “A report was received on the day of the robbery incident that a car was snatched at gun point from the owner.

“Operatives from SARS swung into action and after a thorough investigation, Dauda was arrested at a relaxation centre where he was drinking.”

Dauda’s arrest also led to the apprehension of another member of the gang, Idris Tirimisiyu.

Tirimisiyu, who is a caterpillar operator, said he was also a part-time musician and diesel oil dealer. He said he met one Alhaji Ibrahim, who promotes musicians, at an event in Ibadan. Their brief relationship led to his being co-opted into the robbery gang.

He said, “I approached him to help me as a musician and he introduced me to Ike Adam. But our relationship did not last because of the gang’s fetish activities.

“I was later contacted to look for a buyer for a Toyota Camry car and I got one chief who bought the car for N300,000. I was given N70,000 from the proceed.”

Tirimisiyu claimed that he was lured into another sale of a car which led to his arrest.

“I was called by Dauda to get someone to purchase a Toyota Picnic car but when I could not reach the buyer, Dauda told to come and meet him along the expressway where I walked into an ambush,” he said.

Confessing to the theft, Dauda said he was among the robbers that snatched the car from the owner and that he was waiting for a buyer at the relaxation centre where he was arrested.

Dauda said, “When the police arrested me, I called Tirimisiyu to meet me at a location. That was how he was also arrested.

“I was an auto mechanic but one man called Uche approached me one day and told me to keep a gun for him.

“He told me that I could make quick money if I joined his group. That was how I became a robber. I have wife and a child but I have disappointed them with my action.”

BY OLUFEMI ATOYEBI, IBADAN

CULLED FROM PUNCH NEWSPAPER