I rob for my daughter’s sake’ —suspect

A 20-year-old robbery suspect, who is now cooling his heels in a police cell, has made a confessional statement that he robbed for his daughter’s sake.

The suspect, Kabiru Olayande, a native of Ile-Ife in Osun state, lived with his mother’s younger sister called Iyabo, at 28, Aro Street, Ijora Oloye, before his arrest. Kabiru, who learnt tailoring, said he belonged to a six-man gang of armed robbers which uses motorbike ( okada) for operation, and that he had been robbing for about two years before he was eventually arrested.

He was apprehended by the police on the day he snatched a bag from a woman, at 5.30 a.m., at Tinubu Square. He was so unlucky that much money was not in the bag. He found only N700 in it whereas he was in need of N2,000 for his daughter’s medical bill. Speaking with P.M.NEWS, he said: “I went to rob because of my daughter’s poor health. She is called Aminat, she is 7 months old. The medical doctor requested for N3,500 to treat her. So when I ran to people for help, they could not help me with money. I then deposited my handset to borrow N1,500 from someone and I was looking for the remaining N2,000 when they caught me in the act. I own the okada we used for the operation.

“I often carry one of my accomplices called Suraju. He escaped on the day I was arrested. I lost my mom when I was a year old. It was through the help of my mom’s sister (Iyabo) that I was able to get to primary 6 at Ahmaddiya Primary School. “I have never used a gun but other members of my gang are usually armed with guns.” Kabiru is currently being detained at Lion Building, Lagos. When P.M.NEWS visited Aro Street in Ijora Oloye, his neighbours confirmed that Kabiru lives there and that for sometime he has not been seen frequently at home.

They said he has a daughter who is sick and had been admitted in a hospital. They said they did not know the name of the hospital. His neighbours also alleged that he moves with shady characters who ride motorcycles. Iyabo, his mother’s sister with whom he lives, was not at home when our reporter visited. The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Frank Mba, confirmed the story and said the suspect would be charged to court as soon the police are through with their investigation.