– A major confession is coming from some of the suspected fraudsters arrested by officials of the Rapid Response Squad
– They were arrested in different parts of the state with Superintendent Dolapo Badmos expressing optimism that Lagos would be free of crime
Officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos state Police Command have arrested four suspects for allegedly defrauding residents of the state.
Four suspects were arrested by the RRS operatives in three separate incidents of fraud in Maryland, Ojodu Berger and Ajegunle, according to the RRS.
Kenneth Umukoro, 36; Uba Utokcha, 41; Joseph Onuoha, 40 and Ikechukwu Okeke, 25, reportedly confessed to taking part in the crime when interrogated at the RRS headquarters.
The four suspects are currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.
A victim, whose name was given Ibeh Chiwenu said she was going to Ojodu-Berger from Ojota when Kenneth Umukoro, driving a metallic colour Toyota Camry, 1997 model with the registration number SMK 886 DK, stopped at the bus stop to pick her.
Chiwendu said: “As he drove along, he picked another passenger on Kudirat Abiola Way. We were still on Kudirat Abiola Way when the new passenger started a conversation on something like French language with the driver… The driver now pleaded that he wanted to take the new passenger to Customs’ Office on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, where his goods were seized.
“It was here that their story changed and I became the subject of their manipulation in connivance with a custom agent and a pastor.”
She explained further: “Under the pretext that the four of us assist the man whose goods were trapped with the custom over export duties, they brainwashed me into releasing my ATM card, led me to withdraw the last N9,000 from my account…. After this, the pastor prayed for me and told me to go home and get more money that my family kept at home.
“All these happened last week. Today, Thursday, my husband and I were standing at the Maryland Bus Stop. I saw the same Toyota Camry with same number plate and a new driver, but beside him was the former driver that lured me into fraud, pretending to be a passenger. I alerted RRS officers stationed in Maryland and they arrested them.”
Two of the suspects, Joseph Onuoha and Ikechukwu Okeke, were reportedly arrested in separate circumstances.
Onuaha reportedly confessed that he belonged to a fraud syndicate led by one man simply identified as Toronto, adding that their leader, who is now at large, trained over 40 of them to go out daily in search of those to defraud.
One of the suspects
“When we hit jackpot, we share it into five parts. Toronto takes two parts. Two of us in a team share two and we would share the remaining part to others.
“Presently, our office in Ajegunle has been busted by the police. Toronto as I was told has relocated to somewhere in Surulere. Whenever we have issues with the police, he comes around to secure our bail,” Onuoha said.
Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Superintendent Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest and added that the police would continue to rid the state of such criminal elements.
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