The police paraded suspects in the Ikorodu bank robbery, yesterday. About N80 million was reportedly carted away a fortnight ago by the robbers in a heist one of the suspects said was planned in just 30 minutes.

According to one of the suspects, 25-year-old Bright who has fathered two kids, the robbery was carried out by an 18-man gang.

Bright, a graduate of English/Christian Religious Study from the College of Education, Ekiadolor, Edo State, said a meeting with members of the gang, chaired by the gang’s leader, whose identity he gave as Million, was held in Abule area of Lagos same day the operation was carried out.

“Million is our leader. I was introduced to the gang by a friend named Akpan. I joined because I had no means of feeding my family. I am a wood logger, but business has been bad.

“Akpan took me to the gang’s meeting same day of the operation, on June 24, at Abule Ishawo area of Ikorodu. Those of us from Lagos included myself, M. O., Kelvin, S. K. Careboy and Million, while the rest were recruited from Warri, Delta State, by Million.

“He also brought eight rifles and two pump action guns from Warri, including the two operational vehicles. He taught us how to aim at our targets during the meeting, which lasted 30 minutes, with each of us instructed on what to do on reaching the venue.

“My role was to stand outside, with one of the pump action guns, shooting sporadically. I was also instructed to shoot at anyone who dared to intrude, while the boys recruited from Warri confronted the police.

“I had over 900 cartridges. At the end of the operation, we escaped in a fibre boat and went to the creeks, where the loot was shared. At the creeks, we analysed the operation and Million said we did well, promising to use us for subsequent operations.

“I was not allowed to go near where the money was counted. Million and other leaders counted the money. But Akpan told me they got N80 million. I was given N2 million.

“I bought a Lexus SUV for N1.5 million and I gave my wife N30,000 to enrol for an exam. I also gave some of my friends out of it and also bought jerry cans for my brother, who is a pipeline vandal.

“Million instructed those from Warri to set the operational vehicles ablaze before leaving the scene. That was after the numbers plates were removed,” Bright said.

Bright said the 18-man gang was also responsible for the Lekki and Ijede bank robberies but said he was not part of the two operations.

Other suspects paraded are Omoboye, 39; Ikuesan, 37, and Abiwa, 20.

Outgoing Lagos Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, said that the arrest was a demonstration of his earlier assurance to the people of the state that no criminal would go scot-free.