Police arrest 3 traffic robbers in Lagos (Photo)

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of Lagos State Police Command, have arrested three suspected members of a robbery gang that specialized in attacking motorists and commuters trapped in traffic around Ikoyi area of the state.

The suspects, as gathered, were arrested in their hideout around Bourdillon, while preparing for an operation, Saturday.

Recovered from the suspects were four cutlasses, axes and iron rods used in breaking victims’ cars’ windscreens.

The suspects according to the RRS Commander, Mr. Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, “were arrested following complaints from members of public on incessant in-traffic robbery attacks around the axis

“Our men laid an ambush, which led to the arrest of 24-year-old Joseph, 29-year-old Jamilu and 30-year-old Gambo. Others manage to escape the dragnet of the Police. When the policemen combed the area, different weapons were recovered from.”

However, Jamilu, who hails from Jigawa State, said he was innocent of the allegation, saying one of his friends, Joseph, was a member of the robbery gang.

According to him, “Gambo and I are innocent. We were relaxing under a tree in the field when we were arrested. We were selling second-hand goods under the bridge before government sent us away.

“Since then, we have been staying under the tree. We are not members of the gang that attack people in traffic. But Joseph is. They are 15 in number. He usually leaves every evening with members of his gang.

“The field is their meeting place. When they come back from any operation, they would bring travelling bags, school bags, telephones and other items stolen from their victims. Gambo and I never partook in the operation or sharing of loot.”