Anyone who has someone like Ibrahim Muritala, an indigene of Ilorin, Kwara State, as a resident in his or her neighbourhood may be in for an unexpected trouble as he may plan a robbery against one.

This was the experience of a man (names withheld) residing at Agbado area of Ogun State who lost his Toyota Camry car to Muritala's gang on Saturday, July 6 while he washing his car in front of his house in the early hours of the day. Muritala also lived at Agbado and, according to information, had been monitoring his victim, with a plan with his gang member, Kazeem, a.k.a. weapon, to dispossess the man of car.

For the plan to be successful, Kazeem reportedly went a brothel at Agbado on Friday, July 5, where he passed the night in readiness for operation the following morning. On Saturday morning, Kazeem was joined by Muritala and the two men rode on the motorcycle they usually used for the operation to to begin the day's work. As predicted, the gang's victim was outside his house, getting his car ready for the day by giving it a good wash.

Crime Reports gathered that before he knew what was happening, the two suspects levelled up with him where he was and the next thing was that the man saw a gun put to his head, with an order from his assailants that he should cooperate if he would not want to be wasted. The man was said to have quickly complied, and the robbers drove his car away.

Unknown to Kazeem however, his victim knew his face very well but decided to pretend at the time he was being attacked so that he would not be killed. After the robbery operation, Muritala reportedly went back to his beat at okada park where he used to issue tickets to members whenever he was not riding okada. He was said to have acted as if nothing happened earlier, as he went about his duty, expecting Kazeem to bring his share after selling the stolen car. Crime Reports learnt that it was while he was there that the victim sighted him, identified him, and raised the alarm which led to his arrest.

Muritala reportedly started as a member of a two-man gang which used to ride okada to dispossess its victims, especially females, of their bags and the valuables therein. The gang members were later said to have graduated into snatching cars

Speaking with Crime Reports at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Ogun State Police Command, Muritala, who said he was married with one child, confessed thus: "I am an okada rider but I also rob. My inroad to robbery started with snatching of bags. I joined my gang member, Kazeem, about six months ago and we had been working together as a two-member gang, terrorising residents and passersby at Akute and Agbado areas of Ogun State.

"Whenever we went for operations, he would give me between N3,000 and N5,000 as my own share. We usually called ourselves whenever we wanted to go out for operations and would fix a meeting point.

"On July 6, we woke up with the intention to go and operate. My partner slept in an hotel the day before and on our way out, we saw a man washing his car at Agbado area at about 5.40a.m. We brought out a gun and robbed the man of his Toyota Camry car. We rode on our okada. That day was our first to use a gun. I was even surprised when he gave me the gun that day.

"I got down at the bus stop and Kazeem told me that he was taking the car to a buyer. Unfortunately for me, the owner of the car was passing by to go and report the stealing at the police station. Immediately he sighted me, he raised the alarm and people helped him to apprehend me. I never knew he could recognise me.

"Till now, I am yet to see the man as he is on the run. I have not really gained anything from being an armed robber. I met my partner inside the police cell when we were arrested during the ACOMORAN/AMIRAN clash. When we were released, he asked me to join him in snatching bags."

Confirming the arrest of the suspect, the police image maker in Ogun State, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said that he would be charged to court after investigations must have been completed. The PPRO reiterated the resolve of the police commissioner, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye's resolve to rid the state of undesirable, unrepentant elements.