Controversy, as 2 robbery suspects escape from police detention

By Esther Onyegbula

LAGOS—Controversy is currently trailing the escape of two suspected armed robbers from detention at Pen Cinema Divisional Police Station, Agege, Lagos State.

It was gathered that of the three robbery suspects (names withheld), who were handed over to the police by members of Odua People’s Congress, OPC, Ifako Zone, two escaped from detention.

Vanguard learned that on August 8, at about 1a.m., about 10 robbers invaded Sands Hotel and other apartments at Sands Avenue, off Iju Road.

The robbers, who succeeded in overpowering the OPC security guard on duty, carted away money and valuables in the two-hour operation.

During preliminary interrogation, the OPC guard told the police that he recognised one of the robbers.

The congress leader in Ifako, one Soki, led other OPC members in a manhunt for the suspect, and eventually arrested him at Idi-Agbon area of Ifako.

The suspect confessed to taking part in the robbery and led OPC members to different locations, where two others were arrested on Sunday.

The three suspects were handed over to the police at Pen Cinema.

However, the case took a different twist when two of the suspects successfully escaped from the cell after cutting the burglary in the cell.

Vanguard gathered that the OPC operatives went to the station to confront the then DPO, Mr. Oliver, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the development.

He added that all the police officers on duty on the night the incident occurred have been detained. He begged the OPC men to assist the police re-arrest the fleeing suspects.

Lamenting, one of the victims of the robbery attack, who spoke with Vanguard, said that their lives and that of staff of Sands Hotel are now in danger as the robbers can regroup any time with full force for another attack.

Meanwhile, despite assurance by the police, the two robbery suspects are yet to be rearrested.