By Daniel Edu
Jeremiah Adeniran, an e-hailing driver in Lagos State, has confessed to robbing female passengers during rides, while declining ride orders from male passengers. He attributed his actions to the hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy, which pushed him into a life of crime.
Adeniran, who claimed to be a graduate of Accounting from the North American University, admitted to collaborating with two unidentified friends for these criminal activities. During a police parade of suspects in Ikeja, he disclosed that he and his accomplices specifically targeted female passengers for their robberies.
The arrest of Adeniran came about when the police traced one of the stolen phones back to him through one of his friends. He was caught in Ikotun after his last operation, which involved robbing a female passenger he picked up late at night.
In his confession, Adeniran stated that he and his accomplices had robbed at least four victims and made a total of N700,000 from their criminal activities. He urged the youth in the country to avoid engaging in illegal activities and instead pursue legitimate means of earning money.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, assured the public that efforts were underway to apprehend the other accomplices who are currently at large. Adeniran was apprehended while trying to sell the stolen items at the BRT Market in Ikotun. The police also recovered his operational Toyota Camry Saloon car and a knife used during the robberies.
Apart from Adeniran’s case, the police also paraded three suspects associated with the killing of Inspector Sunday Apochi, who served in the Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos State. These suspects are believed to be members of the Aiye Confraternity.
Additionally, the police arrested a truck driver named Samson Olusegun and three others—Jimoh Iyanu, Opeyemi Akinloye, and Hazimi Abdulakeem—for stealing goods worth N60 million. Olusegun, who was tasked with transporting the goods, conspired with others to divert the truck and sell the stolen items.
The police’s Operation Flush, led by Commissioner of Police Idowu Owohunwa, also conducted a raid on drug joints in Isheri North, resulting in the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of various illicit drugs. The suspects in all these cases will face prosecution in court.