SARS in Lagos State
have arrested a 51-year-old man, identified as Benjamin Okon, who has
been going about in Lagos state as a soldier and snatching motorcycles from riders
across the states in the country.
Okon, according to Vanguard, usually accused commercial motorcyclists of violating state laws on the restriction of motorcycles.
Fully clad in military camouflage, the suspect would seize the
motorbikes, pretending to be taking them to the nearest police station.
It was gathered that he would take the bikes to an unidentified accomplice who he sold them to at give-away prices.
Okon was apprehended on Sunday by SARS officials while he was
attempting to intimidate a commercial motorcyclist in Apapa area of
Lagos.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to have operated in Lagos, Ogun and Kwara states.
However, the suspect said he has lost count of how many motorbikes he had stolen.
According to him, “I am an expert at snatching motorcycles from
owners. I have stolen countless Okada, which my accomplice helped me to
sell.
“I operated alone, but would take the motorbikes to my accomplice,
who sold them to ready buyers. Once I give him, he would pay me off and I
will go to steal another.
“People were usually afraid of me because of the Army uniform and my
commanding tone. I have operated in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara and other
states.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo
Badmus, while confirming the arrest, said effort was on to arrest the
suspect’s accomplice and receivers of the stolen motorbikes.
She added that the suspect would be charged to court at the completion of investigation.
