South Africa returnee, musician arrested for robbery in Lagos

Two suspected robbers, who lured a computer dealer to a desolate location and dispossessed him of 3 Apple laptops valued at N1.5 million, at gun point have been arrested by the operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad.

The suspects, Victor Remi (27), a forex trader and Ekeh Maxwell, 23, a musician, were arrested on Monday, weeks after their heist.

The suspects, both residents of 18, Alexandra Street, Abule Egba, Lagos, disclosed that they got all the details of their victim through his twitter handle.

They added that they opened up conversation with him immediately and placed an order for two Apple laptops (MacBook Pro – 2018 edition).

According to Remi, a South Africa returnee, “I told the dealer I was the Managing Director of a new company in Acme Road, Ikeja. I also told him that my daughter recommended him and that his laptops are legit. I ordered one for myself and another for my secretary.

“It took us a week to initiate, perfect our plan and execute it. My colleague, Maxwell borrowed his brother’s Camry (FKJ 833 EZ) for the deed. We bought a toy gun and painted it. While Maxwell drove, I whatsApp the dealer that he brings the consignment to my office. I told him that my driver would pick him up at Acme Crescent.

“We met him there. He entered the vehicle while the driver picked me up few meters from where he entered. He was sitting in front with the laptops. I placed the gun on his neck and ordered him to surrender them. We wanted to take his phone too but he pleaded not to be stripped of everything. We told him to alight from the car and we escaped.”

Sources disclosed that Remi told his accomplice that the three Apple laptops were two instead of three. The source added that Remi lied to his partner that he sold each of the two laptops, N250,000 each instead of the N500,000 their original market value which he sold them. “He gave Maxwell N250,000”, he added. The suspect confirmed this when questioned.

According to the computer dealer, who does not want his name mentioned, “one Uche ordered for two Apple laptops. We were communicated on WhatsApp. I never had an inkling that they were robbers. They used a gun and knife to dispossess me of the laptops. The three laptops are worth N1.5 million”.

The three Apple laptops have so far been recovered from their buyers while they reportedly threw away the toy gun after the operation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu in his reaction to the arrest of the suspects advised Lagosians to moderate the amount of information they expose publicly through the social media, adding that criminal minded elements are exploiting the social media to perpetrate crime. He restated the commitment of the Command to remain unrelenting in the pursuit of criminals in the state.