The Lagos State Police Command has said it has arrested two dismissed soldiers and four others for alleged armed robbery and car theft.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday while parading the suspects and exhibits recovered from them.
Hundeyin said that the two dismissed soldiers belonged to a robbery gang that allegedly specialised in snatching vehicles at gun point from motorists in different parts of the state and sell off same within Lagos.
He said the robbery suspects were arrested by the Command’s tactical team based in Surulere after information and due diligence investigations were carried out on them within one month.
The spokesperson said three of them were arrested in Lagos State; one was arrested in Ilorin, while two vehicles were recovered from them.
“They have been operating quite a while before their arrest. They are four in number, two are dismissed soldiers. One was dismissed in 2014 and the other in 2017.
“They carried out their crime wearing full military uniform. Our investigation so far revealed that the gang has snatched a total of 13 cars, two have been recovered. We also recovered the military uniform, military Identity cards with various rank, including Lieutenant Colonel,” he said.
Hundeyin said that another suspect, employed as a driver, was also arrested for allegedly stealing his boss’ car the day he was employed.
According to him, the suspect went to the church the following Sunday with the stolen car for dedication and thanksgiving, before his arrest.
The spokesperson, however, blamed his employer for not carrying out due diligence investigation before securing the service of the driver.
He said that the sixth suspect, who claimed to be automobile mechanic, was arrested for allegedly stealing and selling off cars given to him for repairs.
Hundeyin added that the buyer of the stolen cars from the mechanic was also arrested.
He said that the mechanic claimed he told the buyer that he brought the cars from Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The spokesperson said all the suspects would be charged to court on the completion of investigation, adding that operatives were on the train of other cars stolen for recovery.