The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected robber, Ifeanyi Okorie, who said he started robbing after he finished his primary school education.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 22-year-old Okorie allegedly left Enugu State to rob at the Ladipo Market in the Mushin area when he was arrested.

It was gathered that two other accomplices, Ejike Francis and Oboho Nuel, were arrested with Okorie.

Our correspondent learnt that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, recovered a pump-action rifle, a locally-made pistol and 13 unexpended cartridges from the suspects.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, Okorie said after he left primary school, he decided not to further his education and to become a robber.

He said, “I abandoned schooling after my primary school education. I am based in Enugu State. I was arrested in Lagos State. I was caught in Ladipo Market in the Mushin area. The owner of the pump-action rifle is our gang leader. His name is Ebuka Mbajide.

“We had gone to the Mushin area to loot some shops when the police arrested us. They did not switch on the headlight of their patrol vehicle, so we did not notice them.”

A police source told one of our correspondents that the police were looking for three fleeing members of the gang.

He said, “The robbery suspects were transferred to SARS from the Olosan division. Most of them were based in Enugu State and came to Lagos for the robbery operation. They were six in the gang, but three of them have been arrested, while three persons escaped.”

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects, said investigation was ongoing into the matter.