Suspected member of a two-man robbery gang, who specialize in drugging victims before dispossessing them of cash and valuables has been arrested.

The suspect, Ifeanyi Chizoba, confessed to have used the means on over 100 victims, including commercial sex workers and traders.

He blew off his cover when he reportedly went to a shop in Festac town, last weekend, in the company of his gang member, one Aloysius. He was said to have blown a powdery substance wrapped in a handkerchief into the air, which put the shop owner to sleep.

Thereafter, they reportedly made for where the safe was and looted it. But as they made to carry one of the machines in the shop, the shop owner woke up and raised alarm, which attracted residents.

Aloysius managed to escape, leaving Chizoba at the mercy of a mob that almost lynched him, but for the timely arrival of a team of policemen from Festac Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ifeanyin Owo.

In a confession, Ifeanyi admitted he has been active in the act since 2012. He said: “My friend, Obi, introduced me to it in 2012. Then, our targets were traders at Alaba International Market.

“We would buy sachets of Actifed and Lexotan tablets, grind them together and put them inside pure water, which we produced ourselves.

“We would then board a bus going to Alaba, with the traders, from Mile Two. Then, we would call a sachet water hawker, who, unknown to the traders, are members of our gang. We would buy a sachet and give the hawker N20, who would say he has no N10 to balance us.

“We would offer the trader beside us a sachet to make up for our balance. After drinking the water, the trader would fall asleep. We would then alight at Agboju bus-stop and carry the trader’s goods, pretending to be the real owners.”

Ada Igboanugo