The Delta State Police Command has apprehended members of a one-chance syndicate accused of targeting women in a string of robberies and assaults.
Among the suspects paraded in a post by the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday is a man identified as Vincent, who described how the gang lures their victims.
Speaking at the Ughele A Division during an interview organised by the Edafe, Vincent admitted to the crimes, stating, “We pretend like we are transporters; look for vulnerable young girls. When we pick them up, another gang member joins, and we drive to a lonely road or bush. We collect their phones, open their apps, transfer their money, and sometimes assault them.”
The gang, according to Vincent, primarily targets women and avoids men.
He revealed that they operate under two scenarios: approaching women at clubs and convincing them to join, or posing as drivers to unsuspecting women on the streets.
Edafe, who led the session, explained the modus operandi further.
“They operate in two dimensions. One is that they pretend like they are transporters, look for vulnerable young girls. They don’t target men. They target young girls. Pretend like they want to carry them. They will carry them as passengers.
“When they get to about 100 metres away, another of their gang members will be waiting. They will now enter and they will now put the lady in their middle, drive them to a lonely road, at times to the bush, collect their phone, enter their mobile app, transfer all the money they have, collect their phones. At times, they will rape these ladies.
“We have one of the victims with us, though she’s scared and she does not want to talk, and you know we cannot compel her to talk,” he said.
The gang also has a connection with a woman who allegedly buys stolen wigs from them.
Speaking, the woman admitted to purchasing five wigs from one of the suspects, claiming she was unaware of sources.
