Four Nigerian nationals residing in the UK, along with six other accomplices, have been sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison for their involvement in a series of armed robberies targeting mobile-phone stores across London. The sentencing was handed down by the Kingston Crown Court after authorities successfully prosecuted the gang for their coordinated crimes.
The convicted Nigerians — David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole — were found guilty alongside accomplices James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise. Investigators said the group carried out 13 violent robberies between September and November 2024, stealing mobile devices valued at approximately £240,000.
According to reports, the gang used threats of violence to force store employees to open secure areas. Authorities linked the suspects to the crimes through DNA evidence, phone records, and vehicle tracking, leading to a decisive arrest on November 19, 2024, during a robbery at an EE store in Kilburn.
Individual sentences ranged from 2 years suspended to 8 years and 6 months, reflecting the varying roles and levels of culpability within the gang. Among the longest sentences were Mushtakim Miah with 8 years 6 months and David Okewole with 7 years 6 months, while Laville Bloise received a 2-year suspended sentence.
The case underscores the scale and organisation of transnational criminal networks operating in major cities. Law enforcement officials emphasised that the convictions demonstrate the effectiveness of forensic and digital investigation in dismantling organised crime rings.
“This prosecution sends a clear message that violent and organised crime will not be tolerated,” a spokesperson said. “The coordinated efforts of law enforcement have ensured that the perpetrators face justice and that communities can feel safer.”
The convictions have drawn attention across both the UK and Nigeria, highlighting the risks associated with cross-border criminal operations. Legal experts note that the use of modern investigative tools, combined with international collaboration, was critical to securing convictions against the sophisticated gang.
This high-profile case serves as a stern warning to organised criminal networks that authorities are committed to ensuring justice, protecting citizens, and dismantling illegal operations wherever they occur.
Source: Thepressradio.com
