Police burst robbery gang

The police have smashed a six-man robbery gang, who allegedly specialised in selling stolen vehicles as scrap at Ladipo market in Mushin, Lagos.

The suspects were nabbed by the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

They are Hycient Lawrence, 25; Ernest Ogaba, 30; Clement Ochei, 38; Afeez Akinsoya, 41; Victor Ineh, 32 and Lucky Mgbejume, 28.

A source said Hycient and Ernest were guards at Green Gate Company, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

They allegedly conspired with the others to steal and sell a Hilux pickup truck 2012 model and a Toyota corolla 2003 model parked on the company’s premises.

The keys were kept with them.

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The Nation learnt that when the owners returned the following day, they did not find their vehicles. They immediately reported it to Sabo Police Station.

The IRT later arrested the suspects and recovered the vehicles’ scrap.

Hycient confessed: “I organised the theft and sold the vehicles because my salary is poor. I earn N26,000.”

Lucky said: “My work is to turn vehicles to scrap. I am paid for this. I did not know that the vehicles were stolen.”

Victor said he was sent by one Wale to sell tyres, adding that he did not know that the tyres were stolen.

Afeez said his shop is at 109, Fatai Atere Way where he sells tyres, but did not know that the tyres were stolen.

Ogaba said his role was to lock the gate after his colleagues had removed the vehicles.

Clement said he guards the premises where the vehicles were turned into scrap. He claimed that he did not suspect that the vehicles were stolen because they were brought in by a tenant, Arinze, who is now at large.