The Borno State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Ba’Isa Yerima, 25, and Lawan Yusuf, 26, in possession of 61 stolen mobile phones valued at N35 million.

In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, revealed that the suspects specialized in buying stolen mobile phones, hacking, and bypassing security passwords before reselling them.

“On 15th March 2025, the Command Crack Squad, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted two suspects, Ba’Isa Yerima, 25, and Lawan Yusuf, 26.

“The two suspects have been arrested, and 61 stolen mobile phones worth N35,000,000 (Thirty-five million naira) recovered,” the statement read.

According to Daso, the suspects were apprehended in the Polo area of Maiduguri, the state capital.

“The suspects were arrested along Polo area, Maiduguri, in possession of 61 stolen phones,” he confirmed.

Explaining their mode of operation, he added: “Their antics involve buying stolen mobile phones, hacking and bypassing security passwords, and reselling them.

“Among the recovered phones, seven have already been identified as reported stolen and were tracked.”

He further stated that both suspects have confessed to the crime, and investigations are ongoing to track more stolen devices and return them to their rightful owners.

The police command assured residents of its commitment to public safety and security, urging victims of phone theft to come forward.

“Members of the public who have lost their mobile phones are encouraged to visit the Crack Squad for identification and possible retrieval of their devices,” Daso advised.

In this report, MUHAMMED LAWAL delves into the daily struggles of residents in a Lagos-Benin Republic border community, where years of power outages have left them without basic necessities

The journey along the dusty roads leading to Kweme Community, located near the Nigeria-Benin border, was an arduous one.

As dusk settled over the community, many individuals turned to various alternatives they had devised to cope with the harsh reality of living without electricity for years.

Our correspondent, who had set out on the journey, struggled to understand how many youths in the area managed to charge their mobile phones to stay connected with the rest of the country and the world.

 “Is it true that Nigerians travel to Benin Republic just to charge their phones and fetch water?” the reporter asked a Beninese trader in the area.

The trader, who introduced himself as Misi, explained through a interpreter, “As I speak to you, we have stable power supply, and most Nigerians come here to charge their phones, fetch water, and take care of other needs.

“They patronise us because they do not have electricity, and Nigerian vendors who sell frozen foods cannot preserve their goods,” he added.

As our correspondent arrived in the Kweme community, the quiet, sun-drenched village came into view, with residents fanning themselves outside their houses.

Kweme is an ancient town in the western part of the Badagry Local Government Area in Lagos State.

It is situated along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border at Seme and has political and administrative influence over several villages, including Akoko, Asipa, Irosu, Gedu, Pengo, Topa, Asgbe (Owode), Farasinme, Shito, Gbethrome, Yekeme and Pashi.

Sunday TheNigerian learnt that most of these communities have seen little to no significant development in the past decade.

Since 2017, Kweme residents have lived without electricity, leaving thousands of homes in darkness and forcing them to navigate an existence that feels increasingly detached from the modern world.

Aside from Kweme, other border communities such as Farasinme, Asheri, Pashi, Ganme, Alobaten, Gedu and Irosu have also been plunged into total darkness, pushing many residents to find alternative ways to cope with the crisis.

This prolonged blackout has not only negatively impacted residents’ quality of life but has also crippled local businesses.

‘We charge our phones in Benin Republic’

As our correspondent went through Kweme community, it was observed that although the houses lining the streets were inhabited, an unsettling stillness hung in the air.

It was gathered that many Beninese subtly mock their Nigerian neighbours over their prolonged struggle with electricity—humour that underscores the stark energy disparity between the two countries.

“Your government cannot do anything about power supply in your country, yet you call yourselves the ‘Giant of Africa,’” a businesswoman in the community told our correspondent in a sarcastic tone.

Sitting quietly beneath a gazebo was a woman who introduced herself as Hawawu Raji. She explained to our correspondent how the daily hardships caused by the persistent lack of electricity had taken a toll on residents.

“I pay N200 to charge my phone there, and sometimes I take a motorcycle or beg motorists to help me get to the country,” Raji said in a sorrowful tone.

“Benin Republic has an uninterrupted power supply, and whenever they plan to disrupt it, they send a notification to everyone and restore it without delay.”

Hawawu noted that residents in the border community felt like outsiders in their own country.

“There are no companies here for our husbands to work in. We want to start working to support them so that we do not become burdens to them,” she added.

She further disclosed that her business had shut down because it relied entirely on electricity, adding that even her fridge had been damaged after being without power for seven years.

“Women in the community have been forced into businesses they shouldn’t have been involved in, just to feed their families,” she said.

An ironic twist

An investigation by Sunday TheNigerian revealed that while Nigeria struggles with power outages, it remains a key supplier of electricity to Benin Republic.

Benin, classified under international bilateral electricity customers, receives a constant power supply from Nigeria.

These bilateral electricity customers refer to companies or entities from neighbouring countries that purchase electricity directly from a power grid in another country through a bilateral agreement—essentially buying electricity on a one-on-one basis between the two nations involved.

Last year, the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Sule Abdulaziz, disclosed that Nigeria supplies 24-hour electricity to neighbouring countries Benin and Togo, even as the country faced widespread discussions following a recent power grid collapse.

“We supply Benin, Togo, and Niger. They get power from Nigeria on a 24-hour basis, and they are paying for it,” Abdulaziz stated.

That same year, the Federal Government revealed that Benin and Togo owe Nigeria $14 million for electricity.

While Benin enjoys stable power supply, many parts of Nigeria, including Kweme, continue to experience chronic power outages.

This power disparity has fuelled frustration among Nigerian citizens, who, despite belonging to a power-producing nation, remain deprived of the basic services they desperately need.

Crumbling businesses

The local business community, particularly those selling frozen food, has been devastated by the constant lack of power.

A frozen food vendor in Kweme, Abdullahi Roimot, spoke about the endless difficulties she faced.

“I can barely afford 20 litres of fuel a week just to keep my fridge running and preserve fish,” she noted.

The high cost of fuel is crippling, and often, her goods spoil before she can sell them.

“I have never made a profit,” Roimot admitted, her voice tinged with a mixture of pain and resignation.

Her story is not an isolated one, as the lack of electricity has forced countless business owners into debt while they struggle to keep their businesses afloat.

Without power, there are no sales, no income, and no hope for improvement. Many, like Roimot, have found themselves at a breaking point.

“The debt I incurred means I can no longer afford to buy frozen foods. Imagine that the foreign exchange rate is unfavorable, and yet one still loses money,” she said tearfully.

She also shared her recurring medical condition with this reporter.

“I have a health issue that affects me from time to time. The one I experienced recently could have taken my life. There is no power. I was sweating profusely in discomfort, feeling like I was suffocating.”

Roimot’s condition, which often leaves her weak and overheated, becomes a serious threat when there is no electricity, depriving her of the cooling relief of a fan.

“I got up from the bed and lay on the floor, hoping for some relief. But it was still unbearable. The heat just wouldn’t go away,” she said.

According to Roimot, the absence of power makes an already difficult situation even worse.

“If there was electricity, I might not have had to go through all of this. There was no light to power the fan, and without it, everything became much harder to bear.”

Roimot added, “We are only waiting for God to help us out of this situation. There’s nothing more we can do.”

No clean water

According to one of the residents, “The most heartbreaking part of this ordeal is that we are forced to drink from wells due to the lack of pipe-borne water.”

She added that the lack of electricity affects more than just phone charging—it extends to the basic necessity of clean water.

Explaining the extreme measures they take to make their water drinkable, Bashir Abdullahi said, “We drink water from the well, either boiling it or adding alum to purify it.”

Many mornings, they wake up at 3 a.m. to fetch water before the well dries up.

“We also fetch water from Benin Republic because the water here is not drinkable. We have no choice but to boil well water or add alum before drinking it,” he stated.

Similarly, a teacher at one of the public primary schools in the area, Abdullahi Semando, described how the school was equipped with computers meant to enhance learning, but without electricity, the resources remained entirely useless.

He lamented that the children, once hopeful for a brighter future, were left without the tools to succeed.

“Due to the lack of power, we have not been able to use the computers to teach the children, and this is affecting their education. The computers are just sitting in the place where we put them,” Semando said, despair evident in his voice.

Semando further stated that they often travel to Benin Republic to take care of almost everything because of the reliable electricity supply there.

“We charge our phones over there too. We are going through a lot. The government is not focusing on us, as if we are not Nigerians,” he added, his tone filled with hopelessness.

Another resident, Owolara Saheed, described the situation as nothing short of heartbreaking.

“This electricity situation is baffling,” he said, his voice heavy with frustration.

“We have more than 1,000 houses, and they have not had power for eight years. The impact of this ongoing power outage is felt in every aspect of daily life, and the toll it takes on the people is impossible to ignore.

“For many, the only option to survive is to rely on petrol-powered generators. But with the high cost of fuel, even this temporary solution is out of reach for most.”

“We cannot afford to run a generator overnight, considering the minimum wage,” Saheed noted, the weight of his words sinking in.

‘We need govt help’

Lending his voice to the matter, the General Secretary of the Kweme Elders Forum, Awesu Oluwafemi, confirmed to our correspondent that the communities had been without power since August 2017.

The general secretary mentioned that residents travel to Benin Republic to charge their phones and take care of other basic needs.

Oluwafemi added that they rely on well water, as the borehole constructed by the government for the community is no longer functional.

He said, “We do not even have enough social amenities. I do not turn on my television regularly; it is only when my child, who works at a filling station, gives me fuel to power my generator that I turn it on—and that happens only once every two weeks.

“Our king has also spoken on our behalf, but till now, we have not seen any of the promises fulfilled. We have to travel as far as Cotonou or Lagos to buy things like frozen food, and they come at expensive prices. Life is not easy at all. Our roads are also in terrible condition.”

Corroborating the elder’s point, the Youth President of Kweme Kingdom, Raji Uthman, expressed dissatisfaction over the sight of Nigerians forming long queues just to charge their phones in a neighbouring country.

The youth president bemoaned the persistent lack of power in the communities.

He said, “If we had power, there would be no need for us to go to this neighboring country. We have been without electricity in Badagry West for years. As I speak, many youths have relocated from these areas because the power outage has severely impacted their businesses and daily lives.

“Imagine that I have not been able to use the electric appliances in my house for years. Buying fuel is now extremely expensive. Whenever someone manages to afford fuel, the entire community gathers there.

“People are poor and cannot afford to run their generators, which is why they seek alternatives everywhere. Business owners have been severely affected by the lack of power—many have shut down completely and are now struggling to survive.

“The government should come to our aid, as some communities in the state have electricity while we remain in darkness. It feels as though we are not even considered part of Nigeria. Power is crucial for the growth and development of every community.”

Criminals run rampant

Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos West, Davis Sunday, stated that the entire Badagry West had been in darkness for years.

He added that several efforts had been made to restore electricity, but all had been unsuccessful.

Sunday said, “Some of the communities close to Benin Republic go there to charge their phones and take care of other basic needs. This is a fact. Although stakeholders have made efforts to restore power, the Lagos State House Committee on Energy also visited the site of the electricity issue and inspected areas around Igbaji Bridge, where vandals had cut cables.

“We’ve been promised that something would be done soon, but till now, we haven’t seen any action. The darkness is really affecting us. We don’t have good roads or electricity. There’s no government intervention, except for what the local government provides.”

Sharing his displeasure, another youth leader, Agbomenu Sejiro, lamented the worsening situation.

“The lack of electricity has made it easy for criminals to steal cables,” he stated.

A social advocate in Badagry community, Manoah Kikekon, noted that since the power was disconnected, vandals had been targeting communities, stealing transformer cables and other electrical components.

He said, “An example is Wayingbeme, a community just after Suntan Beach. The power lines before the community have been removed, and the community’s transformer is now practically empty, as all valuables have been stolen.

“Over time, concerned residents have raised the alarm, but nothing has been done because it is believed that the area will not generate the required revenue. That’s why there has been no response to our requests.”

Cause of prolonged power outage

Explaining the cause of the years-long power outage, Semando said that the cable supplying electricity to the community had been repeatedly destroyed by some individuals.

He noted that the cable was located near the Igbaji-Seme Bridge and had been vandalised and repaired twice.

Semando explained, “There was a time when the state government repaired it, but it was stolen again. They mentioned that they do not want to lay the cable underground anymore; instead, they plan to use a mast to carry the cable.

“At one point, some representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Works and the House of Assembly visited and agreed that the cables should be passed through a mast, as it would be more difficult for people to destroy them. Since then, however, no action has been taken.

“We do not even have an office for the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, and this is really affecting us.”

Reps weigh in

Reacting to the matter, the Lagos State House of Assembly Member representing Badagry Constituency 1, Hon. Solomon Bonu, confirmed that the Kweme and the whole of Badagry West Local Council Development Area had been without power for years.

He said, “The issue was raised on the floor of the house. The Committee of Energy was charged with visiting Badagry West along with the Ministry of Energy.

“Maybe I sent you to the committee chairman on Energy so you can have more information.”

Also, efforts to reach the House of Representatives member, representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Hon. Sesi Whingan, and Chairman, Badagry West LCDA, Gbenu Henugbe, proved abortive.

They did not pick up our correspondent’s call and were yet to reply to the text messages sent to their line as of the time of filing this report.

Power crucial to development— Expert

Lending his voice, a United States-based energy expert, Abayomi Oladapo, said it was troubling that in 2025, many communities in Nigeria still lack access to such a basic resource, particularly when the country continues to supply electricity to neighbouring Benin Republic.

The energy expert highlighted that the situation reflects poor governance and a misalignment of priorities within the country’s energy sector.

He said, “The impact of this prolonged power shortage is far-reaching. Electricity is the cornerstone of modern economic and social development, and without it, local businesses in the Kweme community struggle to survive.

“Entrepreneurs—barbers, welders, tailors, and shop owners—are forced to rely on expensive and inefficient generators, increasing operational costs and reducing profitability. This results in lost income, job stagnation, and an overall decline in economic activity. When businesses fail, entire communities suffer, and poverty deepens.”

Oladapo expressed dissatisfaction with the impact of the power crisis on education in the Kweme community, emphasising that it would leave students at a severe disadvantage. He also noted that the healthcare sector was equally affected by the ongoing power issues.

“Reliable electricity is crucial for medical facilities, enabling the refrigeration of vaccines, the operation of life-saving equipment, and the delivery of critical care. Without stable power, these services become unreliable, endangering lives and exacerbating health disparities,” he said.

“Security is another growing concern. Prolonged darkness fosters an environment where crime thrives, making residents more vulnerable to theft, violence, and other threats. The lack of power for security infrastructure undermines public safety, heightening the community’s vulnerability and eroding stability.”

The energy expert further stated that it was shameful for Nigerians to travel to the Benin Republic in search of electricity.

He said, “The fact that Nigerian residents in this community must cross into the Benin Republic to charge their phones or run their businesses underscores the Nigerian government and the Ministry of Power’s failure to provide basic infrastructure. Nigeria’s continued export of electricity to Benin, while its own communities remain in darkness, is a glaring contradiction.

“While international power agreements may have economic benefits, no responsible government should prioritise external obligations over the needs of its own citizens. This is a clear failure of energy policy that must be addressed immediately.

“To resolve this crisis, the Nigerian government, the Ministry of Power, Lagos State authorities, and private energy companies must focus more on meeting the country’s domestic energy needs. Power export agreements should be renegotiated to ensure that underserved communities like Kweme are given priority.”

Oladapo urged the state government to take immediate action in resolving the power crisis in the region.

He noted, “Regulatory agencies must also enforce accountability within the power sector. Privatising electricity distribution was intended to improve efficiency, yet millions of Nigerians still lack reliable power. Distribution companies like EKEDC and IKEDC must be held accountable for service failures, and penalties should be imposed for negligence.

“The people of the Kweme community deserve better. Access to electricity is not a luxury; it is essential for economic growth, education, healthcare, and security. The government’s failure to address this issue reflects broader inefficiencies within Nigeria’s energy sector.”

Vandalism to blame for problem— Eko Disco source

An official of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, who requested anonymity, told our correspondent that the main challenge behind the power outage in the region was the frequent vandalism of cables passing through the Seme Bridge, which connect Badagry West.

The source said, “These cables are repeatedly cut and stolen, and they are very expensive. Efforts have been made to restore electricity, but the power problem in Badagry West is beyond the Badagry office’s control. The major solution can only come from the Lagos headquarters. The project is a significant one.”

Efforts to reach the Eko Disco spokesperson, Babatunde Lasaki, were unsuccessful. He did not answer our correspondent’s calls and had not responded to messages as of the time of filing this report.

In an additional attempt, our correspondent called the Eko Disco customer care line, but the representative was unfamiliar with the issue.

She asked, “Do you have a bill number? When was the last bill issued? Can you find any bill with an account number so I can use it to file a complaint?”

Our correspondent also sent an email to the customer care address, but as of the time of filing this report, no response had been received.

Armed robbers on Saturday morning dispossessed students of the University of Ibadan in Oyo State of their valuables worth thousands of naira during a raid on the Awolowo Hall of Residence.

According to multiple sources, the items lost were mobile telephone handsets, pieces of jewellery, clothing and others.

A student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Aside from the lost items, the affected students were tortured during the raids that lasted for few hours.”

Another source explained that “the security section was alerted by the screaming of the affected students as they hurriedly swung into action.

“Some of the suspects who were arrested have been handed over to the police at Sango Police Station.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Institution, Joke Akinpelu, said, “The reports from the Hall wardens stated that the robbers carted away the mobile telephone handsets of the students.”

As of press time, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, could not be reached for comment.

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The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Temidayo Fadahunsi, in the Ijoka area of Akure, the state capital, over alleged mobile phone theft.

According to the police, a case of phone theft had been reported at a police station in the area, leading to Fadahunsi’s arrest in connection with the crime.

Parading the suspect and others at the police headquarters in Akure on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed that a search of the suspect’s residence uncovered no fewer than 228 Android phones along with multiple foreign SIM cards.

The CP stated, “On February 6, 2025, a case of stealing was reported to the police. Through shared intelligence, officers acted swiftly and arrested one Temidayo Fadahunsi, aged 25, at the Ijoka area of Akure.

“Upon searching his premises, we found 228 Android phones, 156 different types of batteries, and 23 foreign SIM cards, none of which he could satisfactorily account for.

“The suspect is currently under investigation and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of inquiries.”

Additionally, Afolabi announced the arrest of several suspected kidnappers who had long been on the police command’s wanted list for their involvement in various abduction cases across the state.

He listed the arrested suspects as Aminu, Abdullahi Abubakar, Yusuf Saidu, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mohammed Anas, Kabiru Mohammed, Yusuf Suleiman, and Ishaku Abdul, an ex-convict recently released from prison.

“On February 13, 2025, through intelligence gathering and technical surveillance, one Aminu was apprehended at Akure Garage in Ikare Akoko.

“His arrest led to the subsequent capture of Abdullahi Abubakar. Further operations conducted between February 14 and 15 led to the arrest of additional suspects, including Yusuf Saidu, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mohammed Anas, and Kabiru Mohammed.”

In a separate case in Ipele, Afolabi revealed that a woman had been abducted from her home by unknown gunmen.

However, a swift response from the police, assisted by local youths, resulted in her rescue. During the operation, officers recovered an AK-49 rifle at the scene.

“Through intelligence-led policing, one of the suspects, Yusuf Suleiman, was arrested in connection with the abduction,” he added.

Furthermore, the police commissioner confirmed the arrest of Ishaku Abdul, who was recently released from a correctional centre but had been suspected by neighbours of involvement in recent criminal activities in the area.

“The Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, acting on a tip-off, apprehended Ishaku Abdul at Aladura Camp, Oke-Oge, Osi, in Akure North Local Government, an area that has recently witnessed a rise in kidnappings,” the CP said.

Afolabi affirmed that all the suspects, having been on the police wanted list, would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious mobile phone thief, Temidayo Fadahunsi, at the Ijoke area of Akure, the state capital.

According to the police, there was a case of phone theft reported at the police station in the area and the suspect was arrested in connection with the stealing.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilfred Afolabi, while parading the suspect and other suspects at the police headquarters in Akure, on Saturday, said after the arrest, when Fadahunsi’s house was searched, no fewer than 228 Android phones were found in his possession with many foreign SIM cards.

The CP said, “On February 6, 2025, a case of stealing was reported to the police. Through shared information, police swung into action and arrested one Temidayo Fadahunsi, aged 25, at the Ijoka area of Akure and the following items were found in his possession: 228 types of Android phones, 156 different types of batteries and 23 foreign sim cards, which he could not give a satisfactory account of where and how he got them.

“The suspect is currently under investigation and will be charged to court at the end of the investigation.”

Afolabi also paraded some suspected kidnappers who had been on the wanted list of the state police command for allegedly involving in various kidnapping activities in some parts of the state.

The police boss listed the suspects who included Aminu, Abdullahi Abubakar, Yusuf Saidu, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mohammed Anas, Kabiru Mohammed, Yusuf Suleiman and Ishaku Abdul, who was an ex-convict, recently released from prison.

“On February 13,  2025, through intelligence gathering and the use of technical support, one Aminu, was arrested at the Akure garage in Ikare Akoko. His arrest further led to the apprehension of Abdullahi Abubakar. In another operation that took place between February 14 and 15, other suspects were arrested by the tactical team who had been on their trail: Yusuf Saidu, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mohammed Anas and Kabiru Mohammed.

“Also, in Ipele, a woman was abducted by unknown gunmen in her house, the police and youths of the town mobilised and immediately trailed the footpaths of the suspects. Their effort yielded positive results as they were able to rescue the woman and while searching for the assailants. They recovered an AK 49 rifle at the scene of the rescue.

Subsequently, through intelligence-led policing one of the suspects, Yusuf Suleiman, was arrested.

“In the same vein, one Ishaku Abdul was arrested by the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad based on a tip-off. The suspect who is an ex-convict and recently released from a correctional centre was suspected by the neighbours to be complicit in the recent uprising of criminal activities in the area. He was arrested at the Aladura camp, Oke-Oge, Osi (Akure North LG), the area where recent kidnappings occurred.”

The CP noted that all the suspects had been on the police wanted list, and would be charged to court after the end of the investigation.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested and paraded four suspects involved in a tricycle theft operation.

The Police also recovered six mobile phones stolen from various victims.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe, in a video he shared via his X handle, on Tuesday, February 04, explained that some of the suspects would disguise as passengers to distract the victims while robbing and pushing them off the tricycle.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, explained that some of the suspects posed as passengers to distract their victims before robbing them and pushing them out of the tricycle.

One of the victims, a male, recounting his experience, said, “On the first Saturday, I boarded a Keke going to Government House. I met two guys inside the Keke, including the Keke rider making them three. One of them started coughing, I was asking him what happened, not knowing he was trying to remove my phone. When I got to where I wanted to stop, I checked inside my pocket and couldn’t find my phone.”

Another victim, a female, shared her ordeal, “I was on my way to FMC, this is the Keke rider, this other one was the one coughing. When this one started coughing, he started pouring saliva on me; I was trying to ask him what was going on and what he was doing, but he didn’t answer; he just continued.

“When I noticed my phone was missing was when he was coughing and put his mouth outside; that was when he picked up my phone. They told me to come down from the Keke and pushed me.”

One of the suspects, identified as Emeka, confessed in Pidgin English, “My name is Emeka, he is my Keke guy; if I see him loading, I’ll enter his keke. If I see that you’re with a phone, I’ll pretend to cough and collect it. We started last year, I’ve sold three phones to the guy and four phones to the lady. I feel bad and would advise Keke passengers to hold their phones in their hands.”

Click the link below to watch the video:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1887084658804068495?t=YAT0np7nLre7WZBaU9ErEw&s=19

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has arrested the driver of a notorious one-chance syndicate that uses a commercial bus with number plate KSF 56 XL to rob unsuspecting passengers of their valuables.

The agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on X.com on Tuesday.

It revealed that the arrest occurred along Funsho Williams Avenue in the Surulere area of the state following an incident involving a female passenger, Bibian Emelifonwu, who was a victim of the syndicate while commuting to work on Tuesday morning.

The statement partly read, “Recounting her ordeal, Miss Emelifonwu disclosed that she boarded the bus and sat beside a male passenger holding a nylon bag in the front seat next to the driver. Under the pretext of opening the front door beside her, the man surreptitiously leaned on her and deftly removed her phone from her bag.

“Having successfully executed the theft, the criminals heartlessly ejected her from the moving vehicle onto the highway.”

A team of LASTMA officers in the area who witnessed the incident were said to have immediately pursued the fleeing bus, ultimately apprehending the driver, identified as Toyib Ogunjobi, while his accomplices—the conductor and another passenger—managed to escape.

During interrogation, Ogunjobi reportedly admitted to leading a three-man syndicate, which included the owner of the bus, whom he said was actively involved in their operations.

“He revealed that their modus operandi involved enticing passengers with low fares on the Costain-Ojota route, stealing their belongings, and forcibly ejecting them from the vehicle while in motion,” the statement disclosed.

The suspect was said to have further confessed that the syndicate generated between ₦250,000 and ₦300,000 daily by selling stolen phones and valuables.

He reportedly disclosed that similar one-chance operations are proliferating across Lagos State, illustrating the pervasive nature of this criminal enterprise.

Seven stolen phones, which comprised models such as Techno Pop, Samsung AZZ, Intel A623, Techno Spark, Techno Pounoir, and Samsung devices, were said to have been recovered during the arrest.

In the statement, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, was said to have lauded the officers for their swift and commendable action, noting that the apprehended driver would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution.

He also urged Lagos residents to exercise heightened vigilance when boarding vehicles, emphasising the need for caution not only with commercial buses but also with private vehicles that may harbour ill intent.