21 March 2012, Sweetcrude, LAGOS— A member of a notorious sea pirate gang that had terrorised the Kirikiri Waterways in Lagos, has been arrested by the police.
The suspect, identified as Keyinde Oteju, was arrested when he led other members of his gang to attack an oil tanker vessel that berthed at Earthmovers Jetty, Kirikiri Town, Lagos and unleashed mayhem on the crew aboard.
It was gathered that the gang had stormed the oil vessel on board a speed boat before gaining entry through a ladder attached to the body of the vessel. It was learnt that the bandits held the crew hostage for hours and dispossessed them of cash and valuables.
However, an alarm was raised by the crew after the bandits had left, following which a search conducted by members of the Joint Security Task Force, led to the arrest of a member of the gang.
A task force member, Mr. Ade Ijagbomo, said Oteju was arrested while trying to flee the community.
He said: “We got a report from members of the crew onboard the vessel that they were attacked by hoodlums, who were in the habit of terrorising the waterways and we went after them. After a long search, we were able to apprehend one of the suspects.We handed him over to the police.”
The Lagos Police Command spokesman, Mr. Joseph Jayeoba, when contacted, confirmed that the suspect is being detained at Kirikiri Police Station and would be charged to court after investigation.
