Police Arrests Father Of Four Who Uses His Sienna Bus For ‘One Chance’ Robbery Operation In Lagos

Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old father of four, Matthew Tokeme, who had been using his Sienna bus for ‘one-chance’ robbery operation in the state.

Tokeme, who hails from Bayelsa State, was arrested on February 2, 2020, following social media outcry about the criminal activities being perpetrated by the suspect and three of his gang members who rob commuters with a sienna bus with registration number APP488FH.

Investigation into the modus operandi of the gang revealed that they always stationed their bus at different bus-stops around Abule-Egba, Ijaiye, Agege and Ikeja, where they pick unsuspecting commuters between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., after which they would drive to a lonely path, and rob the passengers of their valuables.

While being paraded on Wednesday, Tokeme told reporters that he was lured into the crime by his friends who were currently at large. He claimed that he only obtained a phone and laptop from commuters which he sold N5,000 and N20,000 respectively.

“I live in number 2 Olawoye street, at Sango. My friend, who is based in Germany, bought the car for me to be using for commercial purposes. He bought the car for me because he realised that my business was not going on well. But I started using the car for ‘one chance’.

“We are three in number who usually go for operations. We ply Abule egba Ifako Ijaye route between five to six in the morning when workers and traders are going to their place of work. We pick passengers at the bus stop.

“For instance passengers who are going to Victoria Island board our vehicle when we get to a particular location we stop and disposes of the victims their valuables.

“We don’t use guns, if the victims are very stubborn we threaten them till they part with their phones and laptops. We carry only one passenger at a time while my gang members sit like passengers.

“I haven’t made much from the operations. When we went for the first operation it was successful and then we went for another.

“The second operation I got a labtop and phone. We didn’t collect money from anyone because she was having just N700. I sold the phone N5, 000 while the laptop was sold N20, 000.

“We are three who usually go for the operation. I don’t know where my gang members stay. I communicate with them through the phone. I have given the police their phone numbers but they can’t get them. We don’t know each others house we only meet at the bus stop.

“The Police arrested me after they tracked the vehicle plate number. I was in the house when police arrested me. I am from Bayelsa.”

Confirming the arrest, the police spokesperson, DSP Bala Elkana said RRS operatives were on the lookout of the vehicle following series of complaints on the social media. He said:

“The suspect Matthew Tokeme was arrested after the police received information from members of the public that some armed robbers were sighted along Agidingbi road operating in a Toyota sienna bus attacking and robbing unsuspecting victims of their valuables”.

“Sequel to the receipt of the information operatives from the Rapid Response Squad swung into action, the vehicle was intercepted and the suspect arrested. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other gang members at large.”

Meanwhile, KanyiDaily had reported that a young lady identified as Ifeoma Nwaoma narrated a near-death experience in the hands of dreaded “one chance” operators in Lagos State.