By Chiemelie Ezeobi
One of the three mobile Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras procured by the Lagos State Government for the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and stationed in Oshodi has assisted the police in arresting two suspected phone thieves and two fraudsters.
The suspects, Jelili Ganiu (19), Samson Owolabi (23), Segun Lawoye (47), an ex convict and Toyin Samuel (38), were arrested after they were caught on the footage of the mobile CCTV camera.
Ganiu and Owolabi were caught on footage of the camera stealing substance suspected to be mobile phones from a passerby on Oshodi pedestrian bridge.
They were monitored through the camera thereafter exchanging the stolen item with another suspect, currently at large, before returning to the same location.
They were later trailed by RRS operatives attached to the area and were arrested at the foot of the pedestrian bridge.
Both men after interrogation at the RRS headquarters confessed that they stole an Infinix Hot mobile phone from a passerby on the bridge and that the third suspect who they exchanged the object with was the keeper of their stolen items.
Ganiu added that the third suspect, Omo Nla, is the one who sells the stolen phones and they share the proceeds afterwards.
He said: “Owolabi and I are conductors in Oshodi but when there is no work we steal phones and other valuables from the users of the pedestrian bridge in Oshodi.â€
The other suspects, Latoye and Samuel were arrested after being caught on camera three times in Oshodi fraudulently dispossessing passersby of their belongings.
On their last footage, they dispossessed a young of her bag containing two mobile phones and an unspecified amount of money.
They were captured hurriedly boarding a bus after hypnotising their victim. However, the lady regained her consciousness few minutes later and reported the incident to RRS officers who contacted the CCTV mobile Camera for footage of the area where the incident took place.
Their pictures were shown to selected people in Oshodi and when they were picked up, they claimed to be husband and wife.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, said the command would continue to apply technology in combating crime in the state, adding that the suspects would be charged to court soon.
