Two arrested throughout tried theft in Lagos
Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested two suspected members of the infamous Omotaku gang for allegedly extorting motorists alongside the Oshodi–Agunlejika–Apapa Expressway.
The suspects, recognized as Abiodun Ajasa and Junaid Folami, had been apprehended whereas allegedly demanding cash from a motorist whose automobile had damaged down on the freeway.
PUNCH Metro learnt this from the chairman of the company, Mr Adetayo Akerele, in a press release signed by the spokesperson, Raheem Gbadeyan, made out there to journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.
Akerele described Omotaku as a gang of road operatives who prey on motorists with defective automobiles, particularly at night time, dispossessing them of money and valuables. He mentioned the arrest adopted a tip-off from a involved group, ICU – To Soul a Soul.
“Performing on the intelligence obtained, Taskforce operatives swung into motion and caught the duo within the act,” Akerele mentioned.
In line with him, the suspects initially claimed to be a bystander and a income collector, however investigations revealed them to be recognized Omotaku operatives who had evaded arrest a number of occasions.
“I obtain a number of calls and on-line complaints from residents about these people, who function deceptively and seem professional,” he added, noting that the suspects had lengthy been on the company’s watchlist.
Akerele disclosed that one of many suspects confessed that their ordinary targets had been automobiles conveying items from Apapa Port. “Throughout interrogation, Abiodun Ajasa revealed that they strategy motorists beneath the guise of income collectors, claiming to guard them from rival Omotaku {groups},” he mentioned.
The suspect additionally admitted threatening motorists with automobile impoundment until they paid cash, whereas the second suspect mentioned his function was to stop drivers from accessing their automobiles to instil worry and drive compliance.
Akerele assured the general public that the suspects can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulation and mentioned the arrest ought to function a warning to legal parts posing as authorities income enforcers.
“I urge members of the general public to proceed reporting suspicious actions to the closest police station or via the company’s suggestions channels for immediate response. There is no such thing as a room for criminality in Lagos,” he mentioned.