The police in Lagos have arrested four men suspected to be policemen on suspicion of armed robbery, Lagos-based THE PUNCH is reporting this morning.
The suspects, the newspaper gathered, were arrested on Monday after successfully robbing a commercial bank at Owutu, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
The paper quoted a reliable source in the Force as disclosing that the suspects were arrested but the police were not willing to make it public because of their image.
He said, “On Monday morning, some policemen attached to the State Anti-Robbery Squad were carrying out routine checks when they flagged down a car.
“When the policemen quizzed the men in the car, they identified themselves as policemen. However, when the Special Anti-Robbery Squad men checked their car, they saw masks and other incriminating items in it.
“The suspects were immediately taken to the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja where they confessed to robbing a bank.”
The leader of the gang, who has since been identified as Eboma (surname withheld), had earlier been arrested in January on suspicion of armed robbery but was released for lack of evidence.
The source further informed that after the policemen were arrested on Monday, the police got a warrant to search Eboma’s house, adding that the security operatives found evidence which showed that the suspect was living above his income.
“When the police searched Eboma’s house, they saw various cheque books and when they investigated further, it was learnt that he had millions of naira in his account. But the police are being careful because of their image, that is why the case is not yet public knowledge,” he said.
An unidentified member of the gang is still at large, the report said, adding that the suspects might appear in court next week.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, claimed he was unaware of the incident.
As crime rate continues to soar in the state, residents have often suspected that some policemen are either perpetrating crimes or collaborating with criminals.
In April 2011, a police Constable, Oche Andrew, and two others were arrested for alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.