By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Zone 2 Police command, Onikan, Lagos, has dismantled a high-profile armed robbery syndicate linked to burglaries across upscale Lagos estates.

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday at the command headquarters in Onikan.

He said four suspects, a woman aged 25 and three men aged 30, 34 and 43, were arrested through intelligence-led operations.

“Recovered items include two luxury cars, a plastic pistol, crowbars, knives, jewellery, designer watches, mobile phones, iPads and other valuables,” he said.

Fayoade said the operation followed petitions from residents of Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, over repeated robbery incidents.

“The principal suspect, aged 34, rented a short-let apartment in a highbrow community to facilitate attacks on Parkview, Banana Island and Lekki Phase One.

“He carried out robberies wearing hoodies and masks, armed with guns and dangerous weapons, and admitted stealing property worth over N3 billion,” Fayoade added.

He said the confession led to the arrest of the 43-year-old suspect, who admitted buying stolen gold, diamond jewellery and luxury watches.

“Some of the stolen items were moved to Cotonou, Benin Republic, to evade recovery by rightful owners,” he said.

The AIG said part of the proceeds was used to purchase a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE valued at N74 million for the principal suspect.

Fayoade said investigations were ongoing and pledged that all perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.

He urged residents of Lagos and Ogun states to report suspicious activities through the command’s official social media platforms and email channels.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the channels include X: @Zone_2PPRO, Instagram: Zone2_policeng, and email: presszonlagos@gmail.com (NAN)

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