Robbery Suspect
A 21-year-old cook, Michael Temuno who was arrested for robbing his ex-boss at Ajao Estate, says frustration pushed him into armed robbery.
Michael who was paraded alongside other notorious criminals at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja by the Commissioner of police Hakeem O. Odumosu on Thursday March 12 said he took to robbery to raise money for his ailing grandmother. “I did because I was in need of money to treat my grandmother. I was under pressure”.
Recounting how he went for the operation, Michael said, “I was arrested because I went to rob Chief Adegbenga’s residence at Olutosin Ajayi Street, Airport Road, Ajao Estate. Although it was the first time I was engaging in robbery, I went with a knife. I covered my face with a mask to prevent them from recognizing my face as I worked with them before as a cook. When I got to his room, I threatened him and collected his phone. I didn’t succeed in collecting any money from him because he raised alarm and I was forced to escape.
Narrating how he was arrested, Michael said, after the robbery incident, my former boss’s houseboy who was arrested told the police that he saw me on the day of the robbery operation. So the police tracked me through my phone number and I was arrested.
My father is a meat seller at Agege but I live with my grandmother at Akinkobi Street, Ijesha. Before I was arrested I was working at Ok plastics. I went into crime because of frustration. I feel so bad because I didn’t feel it was going to end like this. But now I realize it was the greatest mistake.
Another robbery suspect, Achike Joshua, who was also paraded for being in possession of fire arms at Lakowe in Ajah area of Lagos has said that it was his friend that implicated him. Explaining further, Joshua said, “It was my friend that got me implicated. He was the one that was planning to carry out a robbery operation at Lakowe in Ajah. He gave me a bag and I didn’t know that there was a gun inside the bag. While we were walking we met a boy and he wanted to collect his money but he victim raised alarm. While we were trying to escape I fell down and was caught and brought to SARS while my friend escaped.
It was learned that Joshua just came back from Ikoyi Prison on the 27th of February, a week before I was arrested on the 6th of March. I spent four months in prison. I am a member of the neo black movement of West Africa. I was initiated in Delta state when I was 17. Right now I feel disappointed and embarrassed for the shame and humiliation I have brought upon my poor mother.
Parading the suspects alongside other notorious suspects the Commissioner of police Hakeem Odumosu said their arrest is part of his mission to provide a safer and better secured State that will guarantee the socio-economic well-being of the people and enhance their quality of life.
