We snatch Nigerian cars, sell them in Republic of Benin as Tokunbo

Four suspected cross-border criminals arrested at Mile 2 area of Lagos have told officials of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) their modus operand.

The suspects, Hammed Ajagba alias John (30), Tobinju Potel aka Polo (35), Rotan Remmy (30) and a 32-year-old herbalist, Rasheed Akinola, said they usually snatch cars in Nigeria but sell them as Tokunbo vehicles in the Republic of Benin.

The suspects are all nationals of Benin Republic.

It was learnt that the suspects would snatch a car at gunpoint, drive it to Cotonou in Republic of Benin and come back to Nigeria for another operation.

The suspects first snatched a Toyota Prado jeep from a man who had gone to use an Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

The exploits of the suspects started on January 21 at Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, when a driver of Toyota Prado jeep went to use a Zenith Bank ATM. After using the ATM, as he was about to drive off, three of the suspects that had been stalking him forced him to the back seat and drove off in his car.

The suspects later stripped the victim and dropped him somewhere at Ikoyi while his car was driven away with his mobile phones, a laptop computer and N45,000 cash.

After that, they saw a couple in a Toyota Jeep buying barbecue at Southern Sun Hotel area of Ikoyi. They forcibly took control of the car and drove the victims away.

The victim’s wife was later dropped at a junction before the Third Mainland Bridge, while the husband was also dropped on the Third Mainland Bridge.

One of the suspects, Akinola, said he was truly a herbalist working for one of the suspects, who later asked him to be bringing guns into Nigeria on agreed term.

He said: “It was long I saw Popo last, but he came to me suddenly last month that I should prepared charms for him and his friends. He said they were into a business that requires protection and I prepared charms for him and three others.

“I prepared four different charms for the four of them and I was paid 30,000 Cefas. I also crossed guns for the gang twice. On the two operations, I was paid N100,000. Whenever I want to bring the guns into Nigeria I always fortify myself with charms. But later I will pass through the forest to avoid security at Idi-Iroko boarder post.

“I only brought the guns for the robbers twice. The charms I prepared for them are for protection and detection of evils. We were at Mile 2 preparing for another operation when we were arrested.”

On his part, Ajagba said it was Popo who invited him and others to come to Lagos to snatch exotic cars through a car dealer.

He said: “Since we started our operation, we have only operated in Lagos twice. We stole two Prado jeeps, one Vensa and one Hilux bus. I don’t know anywhere in Lagos but we have a guard who always takes us round the city to steal cars.

“It was Popo, who brought us to Lagos to snatch cars that gave us the guns we are using for the operation. After the operation, we would drive the car to a place at Idi-Iroko where the car dealer, who sponsors our operations, will then come and take it his house in Cotonou and resell it.

“We are paid between 1 million cefas to 3 million cefas depending on the cars. I have not made much money from the operations. We are only working for the dealer who sent us.”
Remmy said that it was greed which pushed him into robbery.

He said: “I was working as a commercial bus driver from Seme to Cotonou. I was introduced to the car snatching business in Lagos through that. One of the stolen jeeps was driven to Cotonou, but the second Prado Jeep was recovered from us.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, who paraded the suspects yesterday alongside others at the command headquarters, Ikeja, said, after a careful analysis of the robbers’ operations and undercover policemen were sent after them.

He said: “On February 11, 2018 the group was intercepted at mile 2 while on another mission.

“During investigation, the undercover operatives, upon reliable information, traced one of the Toyota Prado jeeps to Babatunde Crescent, Oniru, Victoria Island and the car was recovered. The buyer of the car and the suspects were intercepted at Mile 2.

“During a search at the scene, one AK47 rifle, 43 AK49 ammunition, one locally-made cut-to-size double-barrelled, six life cartridges, one licensed number plate and assorted charms were recovered from the suspects.