4 Burglars Set Houses On Fire, Prevented Firemen From Fighting It

Four men, who allegedly burgled some houses and set them ablaze, were on Wednesday charged before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The accused — Tajudeen Oloyede, 26; Jamiu Bello, 19; Akeem Adelakun, 23; and Ibrahim Bakare, 20 – are being tried for conspiracy, breach of peace and burglary.

They all reside at Bolowosere Street, Bariga, Lagos, western Nigeria.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Akinlabi Adegoke, the accused committed the offences on Dec. 19, 2013 at Bariga.

He told the court that the accused with others still at large burgled a house at 5, Kajola St., and set ablaze houses at Nos. 2 and 3 on the same street.

Adegoke alleged that the accused also prevented men of the State Fire and Safety Service at Ilupeju from putting out the fire.

The men, he added, were also involved in occult activities in Bariga and intimidated members of the community.

"The accused were arrested following a distress call to the police. The accused set ablaze two houses at nos. 2 and 3, Kajola St., Bariga.

They also prevented fire-fighters led by Mr Adaratoye Adio from putting out the fire.

They held the residents of Kajola Street hostage and burgled the house at No. 5, belonging to one Mr Adewale Adebayo," he alleged.

Adegoke listed items stolen as plasma television sets, home theatre equipment, 17 packet shirts, jewellery and computers, all valued at N356, 000.

The offences contravened Sections 41, 166, 285, 409 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Bola Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.