18th February, 2018
One of the three mobile CCTV cameras procured by the Lagos State Government for the Rapid Response Squad, RRS and stationed in Oshodi has assisted the police in arresting two suspected phone thieves and two fraudsters.
The four suspects were caught on the footage of the mobile CCTV camera stationed in Oshodi to assist the officers of the RRS in their surveillance activities in the area.
The suspects, Jelili Ganiu (19), Samson Owolabi (23), Segun Lawoye (47). an ex-convict and Toyin Samuel (38) were arrested in Oshodi on Thursday and Friday.
Jelili and Owolabi were caught on footage of the camera stealing substance suspected to be mobile phones from a passer-by on Oshodi pedestrian bridge.
They were monitored through the camera thereafter exchanging the stolen item with another suspect currently at large before returning to the same location.
They were later trailed by RRS operatives attached to the vehicle and arrested at the foot of the pedestrian bridge.
Both men after interrogation at the RRS headquarters confessed that they stole an Infinix Hot mobile phone from a passer-by on the bridge and that the third suspect whom they exchanged the object with was the keeper of their stolen items.
Jelili added that the third suspect, Omo Nla, was the one who sold the phone whose money was later shared in the evening.
Jelili noted that “Owolabi and I are conductors in Oshodi but when there was no work or we arrive late at the park to re-unite with our bosses, we steal phones, purse and other valuables from the users of the pedestrian bridge in Oshodi.”
The other suspects, Segun Latoye and Toyin Samuel were arrested on Friday after being caught on camera three times in Oshodi fraudulently dispossessing passers-by of their belongings.
On their last footage, they dispossessed a young woman of her bag containing two mobile phones and unspecified amount of money.
They were captured hurriedly boarding a bus after hypnotising their victim. However, the lady regained her consciousness few minutes later and reported the incident to RRS officers who contacted the CCTV mobile Camera for footage of the area where the incident took place.
The suspects, who claimed to be husband and wife confessed after being shown their video.
Commenting on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti said that the command would continue to apply technology in combating crime in the state, adding that the suspects would be charge to court soon.