The
Lagos State Police Command has apprehended Ibrahim Balogun, a
25-year-old man accused of perpetrating a series of murders in Somolu,
Bariga and Fadeyi in the state.
PUNCH Metro had
reported on June 25, 2012, that Balogun also known as Small Jpron, was
declared wanted following a gang-related violence between Shaggy Boys
and Downtown Boys which left at least five people dead in Ilaje, Bariga.
Balogun,
who also goes by the pseudonym, Asarailu, which means death in Arabic,
is said to be the deputy gang leader of Downtown Boys and a member of a
sect, Eiye Confraternity also known as EFCC Boys.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Balogun was arrested on Bawahala Street near Pedro Police Station on Saturday.
A reliable police source narrated the circumstances that led to Balogun’s arrest to our correspondent.
He
said, “On Friday, around 11:30am, Yusuf Adebowale, a resident of
Somolu, took a commercial motorcycle to FirstBank branch in Fadeyi to
withdraw N100, 000. As he was withdrawing the money from ATM, the okadarider, later identified as Dare, informed Balogun and his gang.
“As
Adebowale left the bank, just a few metres away, Balogun and three
other gang members attacked him and stole the money, phone and a
wristwatch.
“Adebowale
reported the matter at Onipanu Police Station and also told youths in
the area about his ordeal. Less than an hour later, Dare, the okada rider, was apprehended by residents and taken to the police station where he confessed.
“Later
that night, he led us to Balogun’s hideout but Balogun was not around.
One of the policemen, identified as Abu, however released Dare without
authorisation.”
Our
correspondent learnt that the following day, around 11:30am, Balogun
and four others allegedly went to rob residents of Bawahala Street and a
woman alerted the police.
The
police source said, “In broad daylight, Balogun and four gang members,
heavily armed, went to rob. We received a distress call and policemen
headed by Inspector Smart, rushed down to the scene.
“The
four others escaped but Balogun was arrested and taken to Pedro Police
Station where he identified himself as Ibrahim Oriyomi Folarin.”
Our
correspondent learnt that the policemen could not identify Balogun even
though the police had declared him wanted. However, scores of residents
stormed the police station and quickly identified him.
It
was learnt that there was pandemonium at the station as residents who
had fallen victims to Balogun and his gang asked the police to hand him
over.
Youths in the area were said to have brought a tyre and petrol which they threatened to set the suspect ablaze.
But the Special Anti-Robbery Squad took Balogun away and this restored normalcy to the station.
When
contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide,
confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone.
She said Balogun had been on police wanted list for a long time.
“I
just spoke to the officer in charge of SARS and he confirmed the
incident to me. He said the suspect (Balogun) is accused of murders,
attempted murders and robberies,” she said.
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