A suspected traffic robber, Ismail Akinlade, has admitted to using the proceeds of his crimes to fund drug use and gambling. Akinlade was apprehended alongside three accomplices, Rasak Abiodun, Adefabi Gbolahan, and Rilwan Olaloye, by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, commonly referred to as the Lagos Task Force.
The suspects, who targeted motorists during traffic gridlocks, were arrested in the Mushin area after a stolen phone was traced to their hideout. According to the Lagos Task Force spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the group exploited bad road conditions to rob drivers who were forced to slow down.
Akinlade confessed that after each robbery, they handed stolen items to their leader, who sold the loot and distributed the proceeds. He revealed that the money was used primarily for drugs and gambling.
The spokesperson further stated that all four suspects have been interrogated and will face charges in court. He warned others engaged in similar criminal activities to desist or risk arrest.
The Lagos Task Force also conducted a separate raid earlier in the week, apprehending 53 individuals suspected of drug peddling in the Gowon Estate, Egbeda, and Alimosho areas. Items believed to be hard drugs were recovered during the operation.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring safety and reducing crime in the state.
