Matthew Tokeme is currently in the police net for running a one chance robbery gang in Lagos. And is being investigated by the Lagos State Police Command. According to the Vanguard, the 50-year old leader revealed that he started two weeks ago, confessing that he uses his Sienna bus for the operation.
Matthew Tokeme confesses to running a one chance robbery gang in Lagos
Using a Sienna bus with the registration number APP488FH, the father of four confessed, “I live in number 2 Olawoye street, at Sango. My friend bought the Sienna bus for me to use for transportation but I started using it for one chance.” One Chance is a common slang. It is used to refer to a form of crime where a person unknowingly walks into a situation and is robbed.
He revealed that the gang is made up of three people who go for the operation. They ply Abule, Egba, Ifako, Ijaye routes between five to six in the morning when workers and traders are going to their places of work.
Speaking further, Tokeme explained that they pick passengers who are going to Victoria Island and when they get to a particular location they stop and dispossess them of their valuables. They don't use guns, but if the victims are stubborn they threaten them till they part with their phones and laptops. They carry only one passenger at a time while the gang members sit like passengers.
“I haven’t made much from the operations. When we went for the first operation it was successful and then we went for another,” he said.
“The second operation I got a laptop and a phone. We didn’t collect money from anyone because she was having just N700. I sold the phone N5, 000 while the laptop was sold N20,000.”
DSP Bala Elkana, spokesperson Lagos state police command, said that Tokeme was arrested after the police received information from members of the public that some armed robbers were sighted along Agidingbi road operating in a Toyota Sienna bus attacking and robbing unsuspecting victims of their valuables.
Safety tips when boarding public transport
Below are a few safety tips that should guide your everyday use of public transport:
- Avoid buses with empty backseats: Vehicles with empty backseats are used to rob passengers. If your instinct is telling you that something is wrong, don't ignore it. And if you're on the bus already, alight quickly.
- Don't display your phones or cash: This is almost like an invitation to get robbed. With such a display you draw the attention of pickpockets and traffic robbers.
- Take security measures: Carry your pepper spray if you have one. If you don't have one you can get it in most Nigerian stores. This could be the difference between getting robbed and escaping.
- Avoid falling asleep: Avoid falling asleep if you can so that you can see if the driver is taking the normal routes. You don't want to wake up and find yourself in a completely different part of town.
- Watch how everyone is boarding: If the bus is not full and the driver refuses to carry anymore passengers, get off if you have boarded. If you haven't boarded, don't get on such a bus.
- Survey the surroundings: You want to look at the surrounding where you're boarding. Take a good look at the people already on board, and if their faces fail to inspire confidence don't board. Never ignore that sense of danger or your sixth sense.
Sometimes it is also advisable to take a quick look at the registration number on the plate. Know it by heart if you can, and let family members know just in case.
Also read: Girl kidnapped, later found begging on the street: Safety tips to prevent kidnapping
Sources: Vanguard, Naija Auto
