The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in ‘one chance’ robberies and advance-fee fraud, popularly called ‘419’, with the arrest of 13 suspects, including a recently released ex-convict.
The command said the suspects operated by impersonating commercial drivers, passengers and traders to lure unsuspecting commuters, abduct them and extort money from their relatives.
The Commissioner of Police, who briefed journalists on the operation, disclosed that detectives also uncovered the gang’s hideout at No. 85 Pipeline Road, near OPC Junction, Idimu, where victims were allegedly detained until ransom was paid.
The police also recovered two vehicles said to have been used for the crimes, a commercial Hiace bus with registration number MAP 523 ZYL and a Toyota car with registration number EPE 209 HY.
During an inspection of the premises, the CP said operatives found items suspected to be linked to the syndicate’s activities, including shrines and personal belongings believed to belong to victims.
According to him, the gang usually targeted commuters in the early hours of the morning and late at night, posing as legitimate transport operators or traders.
“Their method is simple but dangerous. If a victim cooperates and parts with money under the guise of a business deal or investment, they are defrauded and released.
”But if the person resists or becomes suspicious, the gang detains the victim and contacts family members, falsely claiming the individual has been kidnapped, and then demands ransom,” the CP said.
He added that worshippers heading for early morning prayers and commuters waiting at bus stops were among the group’s frequent targets, noting that intelligence reports and complaints from victims prompted the police to deploy surveillance teams and set up tactical checkpoints in identified hotspots.
The commissioner explained that three principal suspects were first intercepted and later led operatives to the gang’s base, where further searches were conducted.
“Subsequent raids led to the arrest of 10 additional suspects, bringing the total to 13,” he added.
The CP further alleged that the syndicate had operated for over eight years, deploying several vehicles reportedly up to six including unmarked buses and a Toyota Sienna, to pick victims from different parts of the state. Some victims, he said, were intimidated or subdued with weapons to force compliance.
While assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members and dismantle similar criminal networks, the police boss maintained that the incidents did not amount to kidnapping in Lagos.
“What we are dealing with are organised ‘one chance’ gangs who seize people in transit and extort money from their families,” he said.
He urged commuters to remain vigilant, avoid suspicious vehicles and exercise caution when boarding public transport.
“Be conscious of your surroundings. Do not rush into any vehicle. If you feel uncomfortable, wait.
Personal vigilance is your first line of defence,” he advised.
Some of the suspects, while being interrogated, reportedly admitted their involvement and narrated how victims were lured during operations in different parts of the metropolis.
One of the principal suspects, Tina Williams, said to be a native of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, claimed she was not a regular member of the group but became involved due to hardship after losing her husband.
“I was not working with them steadily. My husband died and I was suffering.
“I came to meet my brother and he introduced me to the business,” she said.
She added that she was taken to Bode Thomas for an operation before a victim raised an alarm and called for help, leading to their arrest.
It was gathered that the victim who raised the alarm had earlier been held hostage, with millions of naira allegedly extorted from her family before she was released.
Another suspect, Emmanuel Njoku, 60, from Abia State, said he had been involved in the scheme for about eight years, describing it as “business.”
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. We went to Bode Thomas to pick passengers going to any part of Lagos. When passengers boarded, this woman would claim she was carrying dollars.
“Anyone who was greedy would engage her and we would lure them,” he said.
Also speaking, Ogbona Amos, from Rivers State, claimed the shrine found at the hideout was not used for criminal purposes.
“I use the shrine for church work. We are into 419. We have many offices and people come at any time.
“We have six different vehicles stationed at different locations and we own them,” he said, adding that the group sometimes collected N100,000 or more from victims.