Some policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have reportedly recovered some stolen items from armed robbers who attacked a couple in Ikeja, Lagos State. It was gathered that the couple identified as John and Mary Udoh, were waylaid by the armed robbers operating in a Toyota Camry car at Ikeja area of Lagos State at about 5.30am. As stated by reports, the armed robbers had succeeded in disposing the couple of their cash, handsets and other valuables but luck ran out on them when a team of policemen attached to the RRS patrolling the area, gave the armed robbers a hot chase and recovered the stolen items. Narrating how they were robbed, Mrs Udoh said: ” I was trekking with my husband, John Udoh, on Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja, in order to board tricycle (Marwa) to Nitel. Suddenly, two boys emerged from nowhere and held my husband hostage. “And in an attempt to determine what was happening, one of the boys also held me firmly and forcefully collected my handbag containing three handsets and the sum of Nine Thousand Naira only (9,000). Immediately I shouted for help. “While I was shouting for help, I saw a patrol van of Rapid Response Squad of response 163, approaching us. I narrated our ordeals to them, and instantly they made a hot chase. After a while, my husband’s phone rang showing pet name which my husband used to save my name, and the policemen told us they were able to recover my handbag.” Confirming the incident, the RRS Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olatunji Disu said: “The RRS team, while on patrol duty, saw a lady, Mary Udoh, crying for help after she and her family had just been robbed when they were on their way to board an East-bound vehicle at about 5:40 am. “The Police responded immediately and embarked on a hot chase of the fleeing robbers, who on sighting the approaching patrol team, abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush. “The Rapid Response team recovered a Toyota Camry ( Tiny light) with registration number GGE 204 DG, used by the armed robbers to rob the couple; other items recovered inside the vehicle include, 6 handsets, 1 UTC Axe, one pair of canvass, passport photograph, Taxi sign board and documents.” Mrs. Udoh thanked the policemen for responding swiftly to her distress call. “I will forever be grateful to men of RRS, for showing utmost concern in chasing the robbers and recovered my stolen bags containing 6 handsets and that amount of money,” she stated. The recovered vehicle is presently at the premises of the RRS headquarters in Alausa, as the Commander further charged his men to keep up the tempo to ensure Lagos is safe. Investigation is still on going to apprehend the fleeing robbers.
