A Lance Corporal of the Nigerian army,
Emmanuel Ebo, and seven other suspects have been arrested for allegedly
supplying weapons and ammunition to armed robbers who attacked banks in
Lagos and Ogun states.
The Punch reports that the corporal and his accomplices – Ahmed
Monsuru, Bayo Olaoye, Olamilekan Omopeji, Ayodeji Famileye, Opeyemi
Balogun, Michael Adebayo, and Edward Paul – were apprehended by the
Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Monitoring Team.
The soldier was nabbed at his base in Maiduguri, Borno state, while the other suspects were arrested in their hideouts in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.
During the arrest the police officers recovered six automatic pump-action rifles, a pistol and some cartridges from the suspects.
According to police source, the soldier allegedly concealed the weapons in food items heading for Lagos state from Borno state, while the robbers would credit his bank account upon receiving the weapons.
The source added that the suspects, who were also involved in pipeline vandalism, allegedly sold at least 15 automatic pump-action rifles to the gang.
Speaking with reporters, one of the suspects, a 40-year-old Famileye from Ekiti, narrated how the criminal business started.
“I have a friend in Oyo state, known as Mr. Mike, who sells arms. I do not know whether he is a licensed dealer or not. It was in 2012 during the fuel subsidy protest in Lagos that I went to Ikorodu to buy fuel and I met a member of the gang. That was how the business started.
“Last year, one of them, Opeyemi, called me that he wanted to buy two pump-action guns which he needed for pipeline security. I called my friend, Mr. Mike, and told him about it. He sold the rifle to me for N170,000, but I sold it forN260,00.
“I, Opeyemi and Olamilekan have gone to the creek to meet one of the gang leaders, known only as Ossy. They bought two rifles on that first deal and they also demanded two more rifles. Sincerely, I did not know they were using the guns for robbery. They said they were into pipeline security,” he said.
When contacted, Olabisi Kolawole, the police public relations officer, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and stressed that investigation was ongoing into the matter.
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Force in Niger Delta, arrested seven suspected hoodlums in connection with piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery in Bayelsa state.
During the operation, the troops recovered four short guns, four cartridges and 12 mobile handsets and other personal belongings.
The suspects were arrested for allegedly supplying weapons and ammunition to armed robbers. Phot credits: the Punch
The soldier was nabbed at his base in Maiduguri, Borno state, while the other suspects were arrested in their hideouts in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.
During the arrest the police officers recovered six automatic pump-action rifles, a pistol and some cartridges from the suspects.
According to police source, the soldier allegedly concealed the weapons in food items heading for Lagos state from Borno state, while the robbers would credit his bank account upon receiving the weapons.
The source added that the suspects, who were also involved in pipeline vandalism, allegedly sold at least 15 automatic pump-action rifles to the gang.
Speaking with reporters, one of the suspects, a 40-year-old Famileye from Ekiti, narrated how the criminal business started.
“I have a friend in Oyo state, known as Mr. Mike, who sells arms. I do not know whether he is a licensed dealer or not. It was in 2012 during the fuel subsidy protest in Lagos that I went to Ikorodu to buy fuel and I met a member of the gang. That was how the business started.
“Last year, one of them, Opeyemi, called me that he wanted to buy two pump-action guns which he needed for pipeline security. I called my friend, Mr. Mike, and told him about it. He sold the rifle to me for N170,000, but I sold it forN260,00.
“I, Opeyemi and Olamilekan have gone to the creek to meet one of the gang leaders, known only as Ossy. They bought two rifles on that first deal and they also demanded two more rifles. Sincerely, I did not know they were using the guns for robbery. They said they were into pipeline security,” he said.
When contacted, Olabisi Kolawole, the police public relations officer, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and stressed that investigation was ongoing into the matter.
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Force in Niger Delta, arrested seven suspected hoodlums in connection with piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery in Bayelsa state.
During the operation, the troops recovered four short guns, four cartridges and 12 mobile handsets and other personal belongings.
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