The operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) attached to the Lagos State Police Command have arrested four members of two fraud syndicates operating in Ikeja, Maryland, Ojodu-Berger, Agege and Oshodi parts of the metropolis.
The members of the syndicates – three male and a female – were arrested in two separate cases of fraud last Thursday and Saturday in Ikeja and Oshodi.
The first group, comprising of Chinasa Sunday and Osadebe Aigbe were arrested in Ikeja after several days of being under the surveillance of RRS Undercover team for defrauding a lady of the sum of N85, 000.
The victim, Grace Enitan, had reported at the RRS Headquarters that a syndicate of four men picked her up in a taxi and duped her of N85,000 while she was heading to Ikeja.
Investigations revealed that Chinasa Sunday and Osadebe Aigbe were involved in the scam while their ring-leader, identified simply as Martin is on the run.
The victim when invited to the RRS headquarters after their arrest identified the two suspects and their respective roles in the scam.
Upon his arrest, Chinasa while pleading for leniency explained that he joined the syndicate after losing his job in February, 2017. He explained that they picked up the suspect in Olowopopo Way, Ikeja, adding that her role was to monitor their victims while the scam lasted.
The second syndicate was arrested Saturday, August 26, 2017, after a failed bid to swindle a food seller of over N120,000 and dispossess her of her jewelry in Oshodi.
According to EYES OF LAGOS source, the suspect, Rukayat Aderinwale was accosted and hypnotized by a syndicate of five members before dispossessing her of a purse containing N120,000 and her mobile phone.
They were leading her away to another location when the lady regained her consciousness and called out to RRS officers stationed nearby.
In a direct response, the RRS team arrested one Sunday Atanda and Fausat Tijani, while three other members of the syndicate escaped.
In his confession to the police, Atanda gave the names of other syndicate members as Kayode, Shina and Lateef. He added that the syndicate only operated on the road.
Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole said that the Command is charged to make Lagos inhabitable for criminals. He added that investigation is on-going to arrest other syndicate members.
