By Deborah Nnamdi
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four individuals—among them, a petrol station manager—linked to a suspected armed robbery gang believed to be behind a string of attacks across the state.
The suspects, identified as Noble Saint Neokoro, Batomie Samson, Abubakar Ali, and Bitrus Ibrahim, were apprehended in the Ejigbo area by officers from the Command’s Tactical Squad Hawk following a covert operation based on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.
Preliminary findings indicate that the manager of a local filling station was among those detained. Investigators revealed that while the station’s owner appears uninvolved, the premises may have been used to support the gang’s operations. Sources confirmed that the suspects confessed to being part of a robbery syndicate.
Confirming the arrests, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle a network targeting trucks transporting petroleum products and other goods.
“The Tactical Squad Hawk arrested four suspects, including a fuel station manager,” said Hundeyin. “The station owner denies any involvement, and NUPENG (Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers) also played a significant role in facilitating the manager’s arrest.”
The arrests are linked to a June 28 hijacking of a fuel tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which was later found empty in the Orile area. That investigation also led to the arrest of seven additional suspects—Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, Kayode Falodun, Ojo Ayodele, Ayomide Thompson, Ahmed Saliu, Igbalaye Kareem, and Babatunde Ahmed—at a petrol station in Ejigbo where the stolen fuel was allegedly offloaded.
Police confirmed that the stolen tanker has been recovered and documented as evidence. All suspects are currently cooperating with investigators and will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
