Three suspected fraudsters have been arrested by personnel of the Lagos State Police Command at the popular Idumota market on Lagos Island.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, while confirming the arrest said the suspects includes a female.
The police image maker said that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) while they were holding a 23-year-old lady (name withheld) hostage.
He said that the victim, who was uncooperative, was heading to Iyana Oworo from Gerard Road, Ikoyi, boarded the suspects’ Volkswagen Vento salon car with Reg. No. BDG 513 EJ but was forcibly taken to Idumota.
The image maker said that the three suspects, while on the diversion, attempted to swindle their victim by ostensibly introducing her to their alleged money-doubling business.
“The victim, however, sighted an RRS patrol team at Idumota and successfully raised the alarm to their hearing, which led to the prompt arrest of the suspects.
“The suspects have since been charged to court following the completion of the investigation by the RRS Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi,” he said.
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Meanwhile, two men were on Wednesday docked in a Magistrates’ Court in Agbowa, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing a truck worth N10 million.
The police charged Wale Bakare, 30, and Sani Abdulahi, 35, with six counts of conspiracy, theft, felony to wit false information, forgery and providing false information.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Ajaebitimi Elijah, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on September 22 at about 6:45 a.m. in the Imota community of Ikorodu.
He said Bakare conspired with others at large to steal an “ADEL” truck worth N10 million, property of Mr Adeniyi Sanyaolu.
Elijah said Bakare gave false information to the police on duty by telling them that he was attacked by unknown youths who demanded money while trying to fix his faulty truck in Imota, knowing the same to be false.
He said Bakare forged the documents, an affidavit claiming the ownership of the truck with intent to sell the truck, knowing the same to be forged documents.
The prosecutor added that Abdulahi Sani dishonestly received the truck, knowing it was stolen.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 411, 287, 96, 365(h), 33(1)(2)(4) and 94 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Magistrate, Mrs C. K. Tunji-Careena, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Tunji-Careena adjourned the case until November 2 for mention.