OLUWASEUN Ayoola and Felix Akpos, though from different tribes, have been business partners for about a year. But the business is not the type they are bold enough to be identified with. The two business partners specialised in trailing unsuspecting bank customers who have gone to withdraw a large sum of money, and as soon as they see them leaving the bank premises, they trail them, until their target get a parking space. 

Once they leave the cars, they move in with their tools, which included tornado nails and master keys. They remove the money and vanish into thin air, leaving the owners to gnash their teeth and wring their hands.

This was revealed on Tuesday, July 23 by the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Dorothy Gimba at the police headquarters in Osogbo while briefing journalists on efforts of her command towards curbing crime in the state. 

According to the police commissioner, Ayoola and Akpos were caught by vigilant members of the public while they were trying to open the car door of another would-have-been victim.

Crime Reports learnt that having made a success in states like Lagos, Oyo and Edo States, the two friends decided to ply their trade on a new soil, so they headed for Osogbo in Osun State on July 15, 2013 in their operational car, a Toyota Avensis with registration number FC 489 APP belonging to Ayoola.

As usual, they went near a new generation bank at Ogo-Oluwa area of the capital of Osun State, and, like a predator, lay in wait for their prey. 
They soon saw one in Mr Timothy Ereguru at about 1p.m.. As soon as he came out of the bank, they noticed the polythene bag he was holding and felt that they could make do with the money. As the man got inside his Mazda 323 car, Ayoola and Akpos went after him, until the man got to MDS area of the town and parked his vehicle.

Oblivious of the fact the he was being followed, Mr Ereguru went into a shop to purchase some goods, but as soon as he left, the two gang members moved near his car and opened it with their master key, targeting the polythene bag he kept in the car. Unfortunately for them, some members of the public who were nearby were watching them and raised the alarm.

With the polythene bag in their hands, Ayoola and Akpos reportedly made for their car and tried to escape. It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Dugbe Division, CSP Akingbade Adeyinka, was alerted and immediately, he led a team of police patrol and went after the fleeing suspects. They were said to have been apprehended when they got held up in traffic and could not manoeuvre their way out.

CP Gimba revealed that a packet of tornado nails, a welded master key, two iron files, charms, a Toyota Avensis car and the N120,000 stolen from their victim were recovered from the suspects.

Speaking with Crime Reports, Ayoola who said he hailed from Ilorin in Kwara State, confessed to the crime, saying that he met his partner a year ago. "We specialised in removing money from parked cars like Mazda, Nissan Primera etc. and we used master keys to open the doors of our targeted cars.  The day we were caught was the first time we would be operating in Osun State."

Delta-born Akpos also confirmed his partner’s statement. According to him, "I am based in Benin. I have been doing this work with other boys for about two years but I started partnering with Ayoola a year ago. We were operating in Lagos State and Benin, in Edo State before coming to Osogbo. On Monday, July 15, as I was removing the money from the car, I heard people shouting so I entered the car and Ayoola drove off. We were caught in a traffic and as I attempted to get down and escape, I was arrested and someone collected the money from me."

The Commissioner of Police however said that the suspects would be charged to court very soon after the completion of investigations.