Why we serve as political thugs for pay – Suspects

Three suspected fraudsters-cum-thugs have admitted being used as thugs to those they described as “money bag politicians’ for a fee.

The criminals were arrested over the weekend by the operatives of the Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

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According to the police, the suspects admitted that aside from being used as political thugs, some land grabbers also contract them to help protect parcels of land in Ogun State.

The police identified the suspects as Dele Olawale, 52; Remi Ogunleye, 45; and Kole Akintunjoye 40.

“We act as political thugs to people who hire us for their leaders in Ogun State. 

“Some land speculators also contract us during land disputes in villages,” Kole admitted to the police interrogators.

The police said when they are not acting as thugs, the suspects disguised themselves as driver and passengers in Lagos State in a Volkswagen Golf car and drive around searching for people to swindle.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said luck ran against the suspects when they were intercepted by operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), in Opebi, Ikeja following a tipoff.

 Hundeyin said preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects resided in Ogun State but went to Lagos daily to prey on unsuspecting passengers. 

 He said the gang, operating in a Volkswagen Golf with registration number KRD 998 DE, acted like total strangers to one another to disarm their victims. 

“They carry out their nefarious activities mostly in Lagos Island, Lekki and Ikoyi. 

“The Commander of RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, has since transferred the case to the state headquarters for further investigation,” he added.