Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrest '22 teenage robbers' in Lagos

Twenty-two teenagers have been arrested by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos state police command for robbery, stealing and cult activities.

Photo of some of the suspected robbers and cultists

These suspects, 18 males and four females, were reportedly arrested at the Agege area of the state in separate incidents, according to security sources.

A first gang among the 22 arrested has eight members with two leaders, simply identified as Babatunde and Tayo, both 15 years old.

They were said to have been arrested in the Mulero area of Agege for assaulting and robbing one Aladegbo Abidemi with an axe, and snatching her Blackberry Z10.

Upon arrest, they mentioned other members of the gang to include: Matthew, 18; Sakiru, 16; Ganiyu,13; Reliwan, 15; Ibrahim, 15 and Kudus, 15.

Aladegbo Abidemi, the 26-year-old victim of the robbery, explained: “I was coming from work.

“I decided to pass through Mulero to link the closest bus stop.

Around 10 pm I sensed my phone ringing and I picked it. Just few seconds while on the call, I noticed some young boys about 12 swarming like bees towards me.

“I ran but I fell down. They rough handled me, threatened me with an axe and took my phone. They retreated and abandoned me inside the gutter.

“A couple of minutes after standing up, I saw RRS patrol vehicle.

I reported the incident and showed them the direction they went.

“They (RRS) gave them a hot chase, and arrested them with my phone.”
The RRS said the second gang had 10 males and four females and that they were arrested at the Abattoir area of Agege in the dead of the night.

Earlier, three members of the gang, Sulaimon, 13; Godwin, 19 and Sunkanmi, 15, were arrested at the Computer Village in Ikeja area of the state after they allegedly stole two phones from a stall owner.

It was learnt that they entered the stall pretending to be buyers. They however did not buy any phone, but by the time they left, two phones had been stolen.

While being interrogated at the RRS headquarters, they confessed being members of the Eiye confraternity.

The other arrested suspects include: Taiwo, 17; Rotimi, 17; Lateef, 19; Tunde, 17; Bolawatife, 15; kayode, 15; Olamide ,15; Olamide, 19; Agnes, 14; Ayo, 15 and Ope, 16.

They have all been transferred to the state police command in Ikeja for further investigations.

Confirming the arrestes, the Dolapo Badmus, the state police public relations officer, said the commissioner of police summoned the parents of the children and has ordered that the teenagers be sent for rehabilitated without delay.

She said the arrest of the suspects showed the level of moral decadence in the society.