By Our Reporter
The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled robbery gangs targeting Uber drivers, arresting seven suspected members of separate gangs.
One of the gangs, a four-man group, included a United States returnee who stabbed an Uber rider to death in an attempt to steal his Toyota Camry, on Thursday, January 9, 2025
The suspects according to the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Police Command CP Olarewaju Ishola, , who briefed journalists on the breakthroughs recorded by the command between September 2024 and January 10, 2025, at the Command headquarters, yesterday, ordered the ride on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Chevron in Lekki area.
Explaining how life was snuffed out of the unsuspecting driver, CP Ishola said,
the suspects – Emeka Akwara, 19; David Segun, 21; Samuel Ariori, 21; and Lukman Ariori, 19 ,” ordered an Uber at Chevron in the Lekki area, en route to Obalende, at around midnight.
” Upon arriving at Obalende in a secluded area, they robbed and killed the Uber driver by stabbing him multiple times in the neck. Fortunately, they were unable to steal the vehicle, thanks to the intervention of good Samaritans and passersby. Two suspects were immediately arrested and handed over to police operatives at Lion Building. Further investigation led to the arrest of two more fleeing suspects, in the Chevron area of Lagos. The deceased’s body was deposited at the Mainland Hospital Yaba morgue.
He further revealed that a similar arrest of the trio of Edmond Julius, 34, Abdullahi Umar, 32, and Saturday Oke, 40, was made in connection with the murder of another Uber driver three months ago.
According to him, the suspects confessed to kidnapping an Uber driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, in the Ajah area, three months ago, robbing him of his Toyota Camry car and murdering him.
“The suspects sold the stolen vehicle to their receiver and led the police to recover the decomposed body of the deceased and the vehicle.
“This incident marks the third of its kind in three months, with unknown other cases”
CP Ishola advised Uber drivers to carry only one passenger at a time and ensure they were searched, and have them sit in the front seat.
He also announced plans to provide security tips to drivers to prevent them from becoming victims.
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Giving an assessment of the security situation in Lagos during the Yuletide season, the command boss rated the state as the most secure in Nigeria.
He disclosed that at least 500,000 Nigerians in the diaspora flew into the country through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to celebrate with their loved ones. Out of this number, he said 90% stayed in Lagos, without any hitch.
He said : “It’s on record that Murtala Muhammed International Airport welcomed over 500,000 diaspora Nigerians. Notably, 90% of them chose to stay within Lagos for their celebrations. The reason is clear: Lagos works, and Lagos is safe. As reported on December 30, Christmas celebrations in the city were marked by uninhibited festivities, which continue to this day.
“This was made possible because we followed the directives given by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Ebetokun,” he stated. “Comparatively, Lagos is rated the safest state in Nigeria, and we appreciate Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his logistics support in the quest to save Lagos’ initiative. I commend my police officers and men for their unwavering commitment to keeping directives and being humane while performing their duties.”.
He further added that between September 2024 till date, various arms and ammunition were recovered. Among them were AK 47 riddled that were taken from police division during the Endsars protest.
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