*One of the suspects says the gang masterminded all the recent bank robberies in Lagos

The Police in Lagos on Monday paraded four suspected members of the 18-man gang that robbed two banks in Ikorodu, Lagos State a fortnight ago.

The robbery gang operated for close to two hours and carted away millions of Naira from two banks, First Bank and Zenith Bank, using the Ipakodo jetty as escape route.

Ikorodu robbery suspects. Photo credit Damilare Okunola, via Naij. Com

The outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, said at the parade that three of the suspects were arrested around Ikorodu, while the fourth was arrested in Ondo State.

He said the suspects at Ikorodu were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Friday following a confessional statement by one of them.

The Commissioner said that at the time of arrest, some of the suspects had used their loot to buy exotic cars which were also shown to newsmen.

He said that there were efforts to arrest 14 other suspects still at large.

During interviews with newsmen, one of the suspects denied that a woman led their operation. There were news reports that a 20 year old girl was at the head of the robbery in Ikorodu.

He gave the number of the gang as 18 and said his role was to serve as a sentry at the jetty, which the gang used as getaway.

Another gang member, the man who drove the speedboats used as getaway said it was the same gang that robbed in Lekki in March and also robbed earlier in Ijede town, in Ikorodu area.

Meanwhile, Aderanti, who also gave a valedictory speech, said his tenure was eventful.

He said that more than 40 suspected armed robbers, seven suspected kidnappers, more than N7 million, as well as arms and ammunition were recovered within his nine months in Lagos.

Aderanti formally handed over the leadership of the command to the new Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

The outgoing commissioner urged the media to accord the new CP the same support given to him.

The new CP, Owoseni, said he would improve on what Aderanti had achieved, urging people in Lagos, particularly the media, to support him.

“I will study what I met on ground and act and improve on it,” he said.

NAN reports that Aderanti has been posted to the Force Headquarters Abuja as CP Operations.