We Have Guns and Bullets Than Nigeria Police, That Is Why We Used To Kill Them

A suspected armed robbery kingpin whose gang allegedly killed four policemen in an operation recently has explained why they were able to perform the feat. Oluwole, a.k.a Omoba told Crime Watch at the police headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos that they usually overpower men of the Nigeria Police during gun battle because “we always have enough arms and ammunition."

"We were always armed to the teeth. You see, the police have limited arms and ammunition that they carry about but for us, we always have more than enough.”

According to Omoba, he started armed robbery five years ago and his gang had been successful except recently when they stormed Victoria Garden City (VGC) and met unusual resistance from the police.

“I think, we had been very successful for the past five years. We had robbed in many Southern states until the recent robbery at VGC where two of our members were killed. It was on March 24, the police opened fire on us. The gunshots were from back, front and the two sides. I managed to escaped but Paul and AY were killed. 

“It was not like that in other states. [In some areas] when we fire back at police, they used to run for their lives, but these Lagos policemen were shooting and shooting that I asked my men to shoot their ways out. I was shocked with the kind of shooting I experienced that day. 

"In fact, since the encounter with the police, I have not gone for any robbery operation. I am still in shock, I wonder why the police were still trailing me,” he said. 

On why he chosed Ajah and Lekki axis for operations, he said, “I think you know that people don’t keep money at home as they used to do. If we operate in places like Agege, Ejigbo and Ketu, how much can we find in a home? But, in Lekki, VGC and part of Ajah, we have rich men that still keep reasonable amount of money in their homes. My brother, we have to use our brain to work.” 

Parading Omoba and three other members of his gang, Lagos Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, said that on April 11, 2013, during a follow up to the robbery operation at VGC, the officer in charge of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) Abba Kyari and his team arrested two armed robbery suspects. He said Alpha Uche who was shot dead during encounter with police and one Ibrahim Akanbi confessed.

The CP warned criminals, especially armed robbers, to leave the state or risked the wrath of the police. “Whether the criminals operate in another state and run to Lagos, we don’t want it, as we will fish them out", he declared.