By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS – An E-Hailing driver in Lagos State, Jeremiah Adeniran, has narrated how he realised a total of N700,000 being proceeds ftom robbing of unsuspective passengers in the course of e-hailing business with a Toyota Camry Saloon car
Adeniran, a member of a three-man robbery gang said he operates from Ikotun in Alimosho area of Lagos.
The N700,000 was his own share of the money realised by the gang.
The E-Hailing driver disclosed this to newsmen on Friday, August 4, 2023, when he was paraded by Lagos State Police Command.
The suspect was paraded alongside 38 others for various offences bothering on various crimes including; armed robbery, cultism, murder, illegal possession of firearms, vandalism, stealing and counterfeiting of Nigerian and foreign currencies.
The suspects were paraded at State Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Ikeja, where he blamed his ordeal on removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government of of Nigeria.
The graduate of Accounting from the North American University said he subscribed to the E-Hailing business when he could not get a job.
However, he had to switch to armed robbery when the E-Hailing business faced numerous challenges as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.
To perfect his plans, he adopted the tactics of declining ride orders from men so he could rob female passengers.
His last operation took place at about midnight when a female passenger ordered for his service.
It was learnt that in-between the ride, he pretended that his vehicle suffered flat tyre and not too long, his accomplices came from nowhere to rob both rider and passenger unknown to the passenger that it was a set up.
The passenger was robbed of hee personal effects and cash but the burble later bursted when Adediran was seen in a shop around Ikotun where he was recognised by the victim who raised the alarm that led to Adediran’s arrest.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the parade which was anchored by the spokesperson of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, Adediran narrated thus, ”
“How I was arrested was that the phone we collected was with one of my friends and immediately I entered a shop in Ikotun, I saw the lady I picked on Friday night and instantly she recognised me and I was arrested and taken to Ikotun Police Station.
We have robbed no fewer than four victims within two months but I have regret my action, ” said the suspect.
He urged youths in the country to be patient and earn money through legitimate means.
“This is not a good place for a responsible child to be. It was not caused by the government.
Before, I was doing my normal e-hailing ride and then I could do 15 trips every day and would make good money, but because of fuel subsidies and all, the work was not just going well any longer.
“From the outset, it wasn’t my plan to do this, but I did not have a choice as of then. During the fuel subsidy removal, I have been complaining and really wanted to stop this and I had compiled my CV and submitted applications with various companies,”
Adediran said he was happpily married with a child. “I am married with a child.” He added.
The spokesperson said Adeniran was arrested while attempting to sell the items he stole during the robbery at the BRT Market in Ikotun. He added that his operational Toyota Camry Salon car and a knife were recovered from him.
“On the 8th July, 2023 at about 2300hrs, a lady who was going to Lagos Island from Ikotun booked a ride. She was picked at Governor’s road, Ikotun. On their way, the Uber driver pretended that he had a flat tyre, parked the car and alighted. Shortly, other members of his gang surfaced and took over the steering while the driver was made to sit at the back.
“The driver later brought out a knife and robbed the lady of her money and iPhone. Police operatives painstakingly embarked on investigation that led to the arrest of the Uber driver one Jeremiah Adeniran ‘m’ aged 29 at BRT market Ikotun while selling the robbed items. His operational Toyota Camry Saloon car and knife were recovered from him.
“Investigation reveals that the suspect and his gang have been robbing people of their valuables in this manner. Effort have been put in place to arrest other members of the gang and to recover more of their operational arms.
Among other offences itemised by the spokesperson was a case of stealing.
He said, “On 20th July, 2023 at about 1340hrs, a complaint was received that a company’s dispatch rider absconded with a parcel containing $45,000, money meant for Office use.” “Investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, One Philip Samson ‘m’ aged 40 years who had been in the employ of the company for thirteen years and recovery of the stolen money, at Anpka Area of Kogi State where he ran to. The suspect has been charged to court+, “
Hundeyin said some of the suspects were paraded for bridge vandalisation and stealing.“On the 2nd of August 2023, at about 0220hrs, credible intelligence was received about an ongoing vandalization of aluminium rails on Iganmu bridge.
“Police Operatives from Iponri division swung into action and one Zarhanu Garba ‘m’ aged 39 and one Maikusa Mohammed ‘m’ aged 42 were arrested in the act. Five bridge aluminium rails were recovered from them.
” They will be charge to court for prosecution immediately after conclusion of investigation.
“On 31st July, 2023 at about 1630hrs acting on complaints, police operatives swung into action to raid Ijora White-sand and environs.
” One Abass Oluwatosin ‘m’, Babatunde Daniel ‘m’ and Fagboun Idris ‘m’ were arrested. Three locally made guns, illicit drugs and a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were also recovered from their hide out.
” Investigation reveals they have no fixed address while efforts are in place to arrest fleeing suspects. Suspects will be arraigned.
” On the 02nd of August 2023, at about 2130hrs, a joint operation was carried out by operatives of Isheri Division and Area H command to raid drug joints at Isheri north. Five suspects were arrested. Several recoveries were made which include wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, other illicit drugs such as codeine, Colorado, loud, etc. Investigation reveals that all the suspects have no fixed address and have been a threat to the community. Suspects will be charged to court for onward prosecution,”
About the arrests, he said,” this is our first media briefing since the launch of Operation Flush on July 27, 2023.
“The operation was launched to tackle pockets of crime that were resurfacing in parts of Lagos State. Beyond that, the operation is also to support existing frameworks for battling violent crimes like robbery and cultism amongst other vices.
” Today, we are proud to update Lagosians on the achievements the new operation has achieved under the meticulous stewardship of the Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa.
” Before you today, we have a total of 39 suspects who have engaged in varying crimes including murder, armed robbery, stealing, cultism, vandalization etc.
From all these cases which we successfully cracked, we recovered a total of six arms, 26 live ammunition, two expended ammunition, one battle axe, four vehicles, hard drugs, counterfeit currencies, wrist watches, phones, knife, aluminum rails, etc.
