We Sleep Close To ATM In Lagos To Rob Early Morning Users – Suspect
A gun wielding robber identified as Gbenga Babatunde, arrested by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command yesterday in Lagos said they normally sleep close to ATM machines to rob users who storm such cash paying points early in the morning in Lagos metropolis.
Our correspondent learnt that the suspected robber aged 25, was arrested after a failed bid to rob a lady who withdrew an unspecified amount of money around 5:48 a.m. at an ATM point in Alaba Rago Market confessed to have robbed about 35 ATM users in Alaba Rago Market, Ojo area of Lagos before his arrest.
It was further gathered that he was chased by the operatives, patrolling the area, during which a Cut – To – Size locally made short gun with two life cartridges were recovered from him.
The police said he suspect, was not operating alone but had an accomplice, whose name was given as Samson Baba Ramadan, 28 that managed to escape after the botched operation.
Babatunde who owned up to the crime when he arrived at the RRS’s Headquarters in Alausa, said his accomplice, now at large, introduced the criminal act to him.
“I have been in the crime since I met my colleague, Samson Baba Ramadan. I met him at Field Joint, Alaba, two years ago and since then we have been working together.
“We have robbed about 35 people together. We would have gotten to the ATM point by 4:00 a.m. We would hide inside the shop that is not open beside the ATM point”.
The suspect added that, “As soon as the with-drawer collects the money, we will accost him or her and collect the money and escape. The last money we collected was N40, 000. Yesterday, we collected N12, 500.
“This morning, we wanted to collect money from a lady. That lady ran away. We thought she had gone, not knowing that she went to inform RRS. This was around 5:00 a.m. They pursued us and arrested me but my partner escaped. I don’t go home. I sleep in Osankwa Hotel, Alaba Rago. It is only whenever I don’t have money that I go home. I have no wife and no child”.
The police said a First Bank mastercard belonging to Iweka Christopher Uchenna and a Diamond Bank debit card owned by Nkechi Esther Idoko were recovered from him.
The State Police’ Spokesperson, Superintendent of Police, SP Dolapo Badmus, who confirmed the arrest, noted that the state command would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring that suspected criminals are brought to justice.
The case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for further investigation and prosecution.