Suspects: How We Robbed Monarch of Crown on Highway

Three suspects, all 30 years old, have provided accounts of how they allegedly robbed a traditional ruler of his crown and valuables during an operation along the Ife Expressway in Osun State. The suspects were apprehended by the Lagos State Police Command, and are also suspected of robbing motorists and stealing five vehicles on the highway.

The stolen items are worth around N50 million. The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Tijani Fatai, announced the arrests on Wednesday while discussing the command's activities over the past month. The suspects are Chubuzor Anasihwe, Uchenna Steven, and Ejike Ani. Fatai stated that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command, acting on information, apprehended the suspects at two locations in Lagos.

Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were involved in robberies on August 23 and September 30, 2026, along the Ife Expressway. The police recovered a Toyota van, registered BDJ 180 AJ, Oyo State, which they believe was used by the gang. One of the suspects, Ejike Ani, said the traditional ruler was not the gang's intended target.

Ani claimed they encountered the monarch while heading back to Lagos after another robbery. He said a friend named Obinna invited them to participate in the operation after Ani expressed his financial difficulties. Ani claimed the gang used fake firearms fashioned from sticks wrapped in cello tape. He also admitted they were unaware the monarch had removed the crown and other valuables until the police presented the evidence.

Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members and recover the remaining stolen vehicles and alleged weapons.