According to a report by Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, September 6, 2025, Atanda Lateef, a 33-year-old suspected armed robber, has revealed how he and his late gang leader, identified as Monday, carried out operations in areas where banks were located.
He explained that they usually focused on people holding polythene bags, believing such bags would contain large amounts of money.
According to him, this method gave them easy targets who were less likely to raise suspicion until the attack happened.
Lateef, who hails from Ibadan, was arrested by police operatives from Iyaganku Division in Oyo State at the Imalefalafia area of Ibadan, his arrest followed a police operation that targeted criminal activities in the area.
The arrest brought an end to his activities with the gang after the death of Monday, who was said to have been the leader and main planner of their operations.
During police interrogation, Lateef admitted that he had been following Monday for robbery activities.
He described how Monday identified their victims and executed the plans, he further stated that Monday often controlled the entire process, while he mostly followed instructions and carried out support roles during the operations.
When asked about the proceeds of their activities, Lateef explained that he was never fully aware of the total amounts collected from victims.
He recalled that after each operation, Monday would take possession of the stolen money, and only after getting back to their base at Iwo Road would Monday share part of it with him, this arrangement made Monday the key figure in their criminal activities.
Lateef revealed that the money he received from Monday usually ranged between N30,000 and N40,000 after each operation.
He also said Monday would warn him never to disclose details of the robberies to anyone, this, he claimed, was a strict rule set by Monday to avoid exposure and possible arrest.
The confession highlighted how the gang had carefully operated around bank areas, targeting unsuspecting people with polythene bags.
The method suggested that the gang relied on assumptions that such bags would carry cash, which made it easier for them to strike quickly without drawing attention before fleeing the scene.
Police authorities in Oyo State have continued to investigate the case, with Lateef now in custody.
His arrest has been seen as a breakthrough in efforts to curb criminal activities around banking areas in Ibadan, as residents in such areas had often expressed concern over cases of theft and robbery.
Lateef said: “He (Monday) was my boss. Whenever we got back to Iwo Road, he would just open the bag, count some naira notes and hand them out to me. I got between N30,000 and N40,000 from him. He would then warn me that he must never hear me telling anyone about the operations.”
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