5Three robbery suspects, who for months, after snatching cars
from female drivers, hid them in a catholic church, have been arrested
by the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Chinedu
Ndubisi, 23, Haruna Mohammed, 44 and Slyvanus Happyday, 35, were before
their arrest, members of a five-man gang, who terrorised Epe, Ajah,
Lekki Peninsula and Victoria Island areas.
The gang leader, Ndubuisi, told CA Metro how they were able to use church premises for their nefarious activities.
He
said, “We have an operational car, a Toyota Corolla. Although we all
drive, Haruna drives us during operations because he is very good.
“Whenever
we see a choice automobile being driven by a woman, I instruct Haruna
quickly hit her from behind. Often any female driver will leave her car
key at the ignition whenever you hit her car. That is what we take
advantage of.
“The moment the woman steps out to check the extent
of damage to her car, John and Festus, who are still at large, would
quickly get into the woman’s car and drive off.”
Ndubuisi told CA Metro that they had no need to operate with guns.
He
said, “Once a woman’s car is hit, she will walk towards the car of the
person who hit her. Immediately John and Festus will drive off the
victim’s car, we follow suit. Everything is done quickly so that the
victim is taken by surprise.
“We drive to a Catholic church at
Sangotedo where we park the stolen car without the knowledge of the
parish priest. I am a Catholic and I know the church members are allowed
to park their cars there for at least three days. That is enough time
for us to get a buyer and dispose of the car without attracting
attention.”
A contract technician, Happyday, told CA Metro
that he was a buyer of the stolen vehicles. He said, “I know the cars
given to me for sale are stolen but I didn’t mind. I am a technician by
profession and often get contracts with oil companies. My last contract
ended last year. Since then, I have been idle. That is how I got myself
into trouble.”
Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command, Ngozi Briade, a DSP, confirmed the incident.
She
said, “The suspects were arrested when they tried to sell a Toyota
Corolla LE with number plate AG 816 SGD stolen from a woman at Chevron
New Road, Ajah.
“Ndubuisi had given the car to a soldier to sell
at Abuja. The car was traced to the soldier who after his arrest led the
SARS team to Ndubuisi. Ndubisi was tricked into believing that the car
had been sold and that the money was at a bank in Mayfair, Ajah. He was
tracked down to the bank through his victim’s blackberry which was still
in his possession.
“Women drivers should be security-conscious;
they should make good use of their side mirrors to know whether the
driver that hit them from behind is alone or with other men in his car.
This will enable her to know whether to stop or keep moving. Distress
numbers have been provided by the Commissioner of Police, the public
should make use of them.”
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