Two suspected rice thieves were on Thursday (yesterday), nabbed by the local vigilante group in Ikorodu area of Lagos. The suspects, identified as Tope Faleye, a.k.a ‘Eniba’, and Gbenga Osibanjo, 21, a.k.a ‘Biggie’ , from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, are residents of Owutu and Ladega in Ikorodu respectively.
Both suspects were arrested for breaking into a shop at Ajina in Ikorodu around 3am on Sunday, January 20, 2019, and carted away over 60 bags of rice and beans. Over N200,000 cash was equally stolen during the operation.
They, however, confessed to have also robbed in Ijebu-Igbo, Ibafo and Abeokuta.
Faleye, who claimed to be working as a ticket issuer at Mile 12, was apprehended at a carnival on Wednesday night by the members of the Onyabo led by Mr Lanre Olabinjo who had been on his trail since Sunday.
He stated that he was called to participate in the operations in Ijebu-Igbo, Ibafo, Abeokuta by Gbenga and other members of his gang.
Gbenga Osibanjo, who said that he came to Ikorodu about 2 months ago and was squatting with a friend at Ladega, said that he fled Ijebu-Igbo to escape raid by the police and local vigilantes.
He confessed to have asked his gang to robbed his sister’s shop at Ijebu-igbo last November and also participated in other operations outside Ikorodu.
Gbenga was apprehended on Thursday morning after Faleye confessed to his participation in the gang operations. He disclosed that he became friend with Faleye about a month ago but denied the knowledge of Ajina operation.
He also stated that he is aware of the gang involvement in burgling of rice shops.