How We Formed Gang During #EndSARS, Robbed, Killed Two #PoS Operators –Suspects

 

Seven members of a gang that allegedly specialises in robbery and kidnapping in Abia State are cooling off their heels in the custody of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team.

Suspected PoS robbers

The suspects, Basil Macdonald, Emeka Uche, Godwin Rafael, Uzoma Samuel, Sunday Chibuike, Godwin Kalu and Abraham Thompson, were apprehended in their various hideouts in Aba town.

City Round learnt that detectives went after them following the murder of two point of sale operators, Ezinne Iroh and Dr Victor Chimaobi, in the town. The gang reportedly killed Iroh on January 31, 2021 after robbing her of N150,000 while Chimaobi was murdered on January 21.

The assailants who operated in tricycles were also said to have killed one of their kidnap victims, Achinulo Ignatius, after collecting N2.5m ransom from his relatives. The 59-year-old man was reportedly abducted on November 1, 2020, at the Osisioma junction, along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

In the wake of growing apprehension among PoS operators in the state, our correspondent gathered that the IRT operatives led by DCP Abba Kyari were deployed to track down the gang, leading to Rafael’s arrest. He was said to have led the detectives to apprehend six other members of the gang.

Rafael, 32, from Kogi State, stated that his gang was formed during the #EndSARS protest to cash in on the relaxed police patrols at the time.

The father of two said he was formerly with a robbery gang led by one Handerson, who is a member of Vikings Confraternity, to which he also belongs.

He said, “I was arrested in connection with armed robbery and murder. Henderson always had money on him and whenever I was broke, I went to him for support. On one occasion, he asked me to join his gang and

“When the #EndSARS protest started, I returned to Aba and teamed up with Henderson’s other men to form a new gang. We robbed a PoS operator at a bank close Umugasi area in Aba and collected N52,000 from him. We also went away with the PoS machine. We were three that went for that operation and we used a tricycle and locally-made guns. I got N20,000 as my share.”

Rafael, a secondary school leaver, said their second operation was on Market Road by Kents in Aba, where Chimaobi was reportedly killed, adding that he shot the victim because he pushed one of his gang members, Chibuike.

He said, “The man died on the spot. I got N7,000 as my share in that operation because we were five that went for it. When I heard that the man was dead, I went to a drop the money at a T-junction and prayed for forgiveness. I vowed not to rob again but few weeks later, my gang members and I went to visit a friend along Ukgwu Street in Ogbor Hill.

“One of us called Santiago suggested that we should rob a PoS woman who was on the street. I objected because I am well known in that area. Santiago and Chibuike went for the operation. They robbed the woman and shot her. They collected N150,000 and I got N23,000.

“When we got home, we heard news that the woman was dead. We fought with Santiago for killing the woman and he told us that the woman struggled with him. I used the money to travel to Abuja where I spent two weeks. I was arrested when I returned to Aba.”

Chibuike, 22, claimed that he joined the gang because he lost his job after the #EndSARS protest, stating that he made N55,000 from five robbery operations he participated in.

He added, “I used part of the money I made to help my mother pay her house rent. It was Rafael who introduced me to the gang.”

Samuel, a polytechnic student, said he joined the gang to raise money for his clearance in school. The 25-year-old native of Abia State also confessed to have been initiated into Vikings Confraternity and robbery by Handerson.

On the robbery operation during which Chimaobi was killed, Samuel refuted Rafael’s claim that the PoS operator struggled with a gang member.

Kalu, 23, said, “I am a generator repairer but I went to robbery operations with the gang. One was at St. Michael area of Aba, where we looted a warehouse containing clothes. After we sold them, I got N17, 000. Then we went for another operation. It was a PoS vendor and I got N8, 000 as my share. Nobody was killed in all the operations I took part in.”

Mixed Reactions As Ban For Okada, Maruwa in Lagos Take Effect

AgegePulse Magazine

Following the recent ban of Okada, Maruwa operation in Lagos by the Lagos State Government, some motorists and residents of Lagos have reacted to the new development in the State.

AgegePulse has gathered  some of their reactions as it affects individuals, read below for their reactions.

I have never been a fan of keke or okada.......there presence constitute nuisance -Ola Tas

The decision to ban okada on major roads is a good development in the right direction. But pressure must be put on the government to invest more in bus transportation  by bringing into service more bus routes for BRT and invest more in the transportation industry -Babajide Oshodi

Please tell me any state that has ban keke, You are comparing lagos with with over 20 million  population  with edo and imo that ban okada is not same, Okada is a choice , Nobody is forced  to take okada, The crime rate in edo is more than lagos because  of lack of employment, In edo, imo, and kano they have good road, Lagos have bad road, Danfo drive against  traffic they are not banned I hope during election  time this ban will be sustained,
It is wickedness against the people - Ade moses

See okada is a problem on a Lagos roads likewise the danfos. Lagos state has lost control over them. The lastma officials look them without any caution when dey go against the traffic laws. They stop at any place to board passengers. They caused traffics anywhere in Lagos road. They are being used as one chance. Why can’t lagos state have power over them? If you can handle them, I am very sure they have chairman. Arrest the chairman. That’s all - Engr. Ojo Ayodele

Olufemi Michael - Good suggestion sir,  another suggestion of mine is that secret camera should be installed in all our major roads especially bus stops. Eny danfo  caught doing this, should be declare wanted by police. Police should be doing stop and search excises on those danfor once on every 3 month.

Komolafe Abiodun - Regulation is what these bikes and Maruwa needs. Not outright ban. But once election approaches, una go still re-introduce them. Awon Olofo

Shop Stephen - I am so disappointed by the resent decision of the lagos govt banning keke and okada on some of these roads..they complain of the manners coursed by some of the riders which is true but because there are bad heads in the govt then should we desolve the government?....instead of looking for ways to control and regulate the activities of these people u now had to bring them back to square one... Now some of these security agencies sent to arrest  are also owners of these keke and okadas...


Stopping okada and keke nape not yet mature in lagos. Looking at the Population and biz level to meet up target in time of emergency, okada is still very useful, providing rules, regulation and safety standard should be deploy. I notice one thing in lagos, revenues generation is a priority, whenever any body is given a new political appointee she or he always look at revenue generation example. Getting permit for bole hole water is an ideal for revenue from a man and many more. How many revenue lagos resident go pay. Please do the rightful first before scratching your pocket. Stoping making movement in lagos too cumbersome. Build more open access road and restrict okada on major high way not internal Street run that is not motor able in term of traffic. O pay and etc that is safety compliance should be allow. Or can lagos state government provide a special transport for emergency purpose. Maybe soon we go pay tax in lagos before we Park our pupu or faces.
- Chima Okoro

 unfortunately their immediate family will be affected just that they didn’t think it deep..... policy without palliative  -Lanre Olanrewaju

I stand with lagos state goverment ,now lagos will  have a new look but i addvice my able governor to put addiquet  security at some local places like okoko ,iba,orile and so many others and ask my governor to try his best to provide BRT bus from lagos island to iyanoba so lagos will look more better - Ezekwa Peters

Obinna Igbinoba - The government of Lagos state missed it these time ... these excuses are not expectable under the present economy environment in Nigeria.... it has only created a more scary situation... making the security agencies to make more money from these poor riders...


When there is a law prohibiting an act, you don't indulge in it and then be asking for govt palliatives. Its like an armed robber excusing his criminality on the basis that the govt did not provide employment opportunities.-Kola Osundairo

Freziers : Is this sanctions all over Lagos or some areas not affected...? I can see tax forces  here in Agege area trying to arrest bike & keke
 D1: The situation is getting out of hands ooo, the police are trying to take undue advantage of the situation
 Frik: Our boys in Agege can not go on like this, not working for days .....before they will start engaging in crimes...🤔🤔🤔 Agege local govt chairman should look into that...
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The  ban of OKADAS and  KEKE on  some selected roads in Lagos is going to be an herculean task  for the law enforcement agencies in Lagos for  many reasons . 1 many of the OKADAS and KEKE are owned by the law enforcement agencies that  are  to arrest them . 2 corruption on the part of the security agencies. 3 where are the machineries put in place to convey those arrested to designated places or centres? The work will over stretch the enforcement agencies. -Otunba Kilajolu

InsideMainland
Gokada and Max riders are currently protesting the okada ban on the streets of Lagos.

I’m sad for gokada as a company, they started the online stuff, kitted there riders nicely and decent riders as well, but before jack Robinson Opay entered the market with chinko mentality, flooded the whole Lagos with agbero riders and rubbished a very nice concept....Animasaun