A 38-year-old guy who works as a taxi driver in the Federal Capital Territory but provides specialized services to armed thieves at night was killed (FCT).
Isah Akubo, a taxi driver for almost 18 years, pilots criminal groups at night to attack businesses and steal goods.
Akubo, part of a 10-man robbery ring, stole and sold cars from owners and parking lots in addition to robbing them at night.
Akubo, a married father of six from Dekinah Local Government Area in Kogi State, stated that criminals who respected his daring hired him for his driving talents.
Though he knew the guys who approached him were armed robbers because they informed him so, the tremendous amount of money he made from his first operation with the gang pushed him continue the unlawful deed.
He said that driving for the criminal group is more lucrative than driving a taxi, where he works for nearly 24 hours and makes peanuts. On a good day, he can make what he would make in a month.
He claimed that as the group's chief pilot driver, they normally conduct daytime surveillance to learn all the escape routes if they encounter security agents and local vigilantes before beginning operations.
The suspect, displayed by the FCT police command, revealed that on the day of these operations, he travels to the destination with the gang members but stays in the car with his engine running to observe the environment and inform the group of any intruders.
After finishing, they hurry back to the car and he speeds off, changing areas to avoid being detected until they reach their hideouts.
He stated they will divide the loot at their jungle refuge on the outskirts of the FCT.
He said these loots occasionally contain electronics, communication devices, computers, jewelries, home things, luxury apparel, wristwatches, money, and other valuables.
He added they normally have cash buyers on call to buy stolen stuff.
He did this for years before being arrested. He stated he had just started working with this new gang for roughly five months before he was caught by police, who had been looking for the organization after residents reported them.
He met the gang who arrested him through Mr. Nuru Yunusa, who told him about their contract jobs.
He said Nuru told him the deal included a lot of money in the house and that the driver who typically drives them on similar operations had left Abuja, so he joined them.
The operation was successful and they paid him his half of the money, which made him delighted and excited to work with the gang.
Before his arrest, he said they had completed eight lucrative operations.
He claims he was able to support his wife, six children, and relatives who did not know he was an armed robber with the wealth.
He claimed his portion ranges between N500,000 to N100,000, depending on operations.
Akubo said the armed robbery gang also stole and sold vehicles.
He said they stole vehicles in Wuse, Garki, Asokoro, and other FCT hotspots.
He claimed they stole a car in FCT satellite town Mpape on the day of his detention.
After arriving in Mpape, he said they broke into the house where the vehicle was parked, grabbed money and other goods, and stole the automobile, which he drove for the group to their normal spot.
He stated he stayed outside throughout operations to watch for intruders and inform the group.
After the operation, he drove to their hideout as usual.
After being caught, he felt horrible since his behavior had shamed his family, especially his wife and children, who had believed he was a real cab driver.
Akubo, now sober, stated, “This is the first time that we would be having a person who is an armed robber in my family because I have never heard that someone stole talkless of being an armed robber since I was born in my family. I regret my devilish behavior, which shamed my family.
Akubo, a member of a 10-man robbery ring, led police to most of their operations after his detention.
Akubo and four gang members were detained at You and You Hotel in Sambisa Masaka, Nasarawa State, while the others fled.
They had five AK-47 rifles, four G-3 rifles, 122 lives 7.62MM ammunition, one locally made pistol without ammunition, three ballistic vests, six AK47 empty magazines, seven G-3 empty magazines, charms of various degrees, one Police Sgt warrant card, one vigilante ID card, one Civil Defence I.D card, one Toyota Camry 2000 model, golden color, with registration number GGE 702 CH, and one golf three wagon, green color, with registration number KWL 702 CH.
The police stated they would charge the suspects after investigations.