The police in Lagos have smashed a syndicate that specializes in carrying passengers, and thereafter rob them on transit.

Two of the members, a driver and a prostitute are currently in the cell of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command.

The arrested suspects are Ahmed Isiaka and Ahmodu Victoria.

The gang allegedly operated with a Mazda car with which they convey victims as well as another back up bus which carries other members of the gang during operations.

The back up bus is used to trail the Mazda car until it parks on isolated place where the gang members will pounce on the victims.

It was alleged that the prostitute, Victoria, was used as bait to lure passengers into their operational vehicle as she was often seated by the driver's side and at times at the back seat.

Following the arrest of Isiaka and subsequent transfer of the case to SARS from Ojo Police Division, Victoria was arrested at Darkar Hotel in Seme, Badagry area of the state.

The gang allegedly operated between Iyana Iba, Mile 2 and Seme-Badagry axis.

Confessing to the crime, Isiaka, 33, from Ilorin town in Kwara State, married with a child and claimed to reside at 1 Denton Street, Oyingbo where he also claimed his father had a house and that he was introduced to robbery by one Okolawan, his friend.

"The other persons are Isiaka, Nuru and Victoria."

According to him, he started with the gang around November last year.

"We have operated from Iyana-Iba to Badagry. I and Isiaka drove the operational vehicles. We pick passengers from Iyana -Iba to Badagry or Seme. Along the road after Oko-Afon we will stop and rob the passengers. When we operate, we will be three in the car, and another car, a Honda Halla with two passengers will be coming behind. They will give me sign to stop at a point where we will strike. We often operate in the night between 8pm and 10pm. We also operate very early in the morning from 5am. I have robbed with them for four times. I do receive share after operation of between N10, 000 and N20, 000. Okolawon owns the Mazda we use for operation, while the Honda belongs to Nuru. Before we pounce on the victims, we first pretend that the car has developed a fault and inform the passengers. They will be surprised when the back up vehicle comes and our members jump down with wheel spanners and other instruments with which we threaten them to release their monies and other valuables. We don't use gun".

However, the police alleged that they use guns which they are trying to recover from other fleeing members.

"I was arrested last month at Ojo. Two of my members escaped. We normally converge on Iyana-Iba area before we proceed for operation and after operation; we share the money and disperse. It was Okanlawon who introduced this lady to the gang. She is his girlfriend.

Victoria, 27, from Edo State and a member of the gang said: "I was hustling in a hotel called Darkar when Okanlawon came to pick me. I do not have job but do prostitution in the hotel for five months now. I collect N3000 from customers per night, that is if I see customer. We don't do short time there. I came to Lagos in February this year from Edo State. A lady assisted me to get into the hotel.

Victoria, who claimed to be married for nine years with three children said she left her husband because they had misunderstanding, adding that the problem had been settled and she was planning to go back to settle down with her children and husband.

"I met a member of the gang, Okanlawon in June this year. He slept with me in my room for a night and paid me N3, 000. He started coming subsequently and finally took me to a night club. It was when we were coming back the following morning that they started picking passengers and later robbed the passengers. That was how I knew the type of job they do. So he threatened me to join them since I have known their secret, otherwise, they will kill me", she confessed.