Robbery: Four UK-based Nigerians, others jailed 55 years

UK Court

Four Nigerians who were part of a phone-robbery syndicate terrorising the London metropolis have been sentenced to a combined jail term of 55 years by a Kingston Crown Court in the United Kingdom.

PUNCH Metro learnt this in a statement obtained from the UK Metropolitan Police website on Monday.

According to the statement, the convicts include David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole.

Others are James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise.

The statement noted that between September and November 2024, the syndicate carried out 13 phone-robbery operations across different stores in the UK.

It continued, “The group targeted mostly EE stores, using threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before making off with high-value mobile phones and other devices. In total, they stole items with a total value of £240,000.

“Officers were able to link suspects to the scenes of the crimes through DNA evidence, as well as call data and vehicle records. They observed the group as they prepared for further offences, and on November 19, 2024, officers moved in to arrest four of the men in the act at an EE shop in Kilburn. Punch