Police in Oyo State have arrested a robbery suspect who confessed to targeting bank customers carrying polythene bags, while his gang leader was shot dead during an attempted arrest.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber who revealed how his gang specifically targeted bank customers carrying polythene bags believed to contain large sums of cash.
The suspect, Atanda Lateef, 33, was arrested on Wednesday by operatives of Iyaganku Division at Imalefalafia area, Ibadan, after his gang leader, identified simply as Monday, was shot during a confrontation with police.
Briefing reporters at the command headquarters on Thursday, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, said the suspects had earlier robbed and shot a victim at Anfani junction before being intercepted.
“In the course of arrest, one of the suspects named Monday attempted to disarm a police officer but was shot on the thigh. The other suspect, Lateef, was apprehended by residents while trying to escape,” Osifeso stated. The gang’s leader later died of his injuries.
Recovered items included a locally-made double-barrel gun, eight live cartridges, N202,800 cash, sunglasses, a black school bag, and criminal charms. Police confirmed the robbers had been operating with a red motorcycle registered OYO RUW 403 QD.
During interrogation, Lateef confessed the gang used to patrol around banks between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., targeting customers carrying polythene bags. “We would block the victim, and Monday would point his gun at them. If they resisted, he would shoot,” he said.
Residents praised the police for curbing the gang’s menace, describing Monday as “a ruthless killer.”