Computer village big boy who buys stolen phones from robbers nabbed (photo)

A notorious phone dealer, Yusuf Da-Silva, who specialized in buying mobile phones from armed robbers, cultists and pick-pockets operating in Ogun and Lagos State has disclosed that he buys over 30 phones a week and made between N25,000 and N30,000 daily from buying and selling robbed phones.

After almost three months of relentless hunt, the suspect was last week Wednesday arrested by the Decoy Team of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) over a robbery incident around Ifako-Ijaiye, where mobile phones, laptops and other valuables were carted away at gun point.

The phone dealer, Yusuph Da-Silva, 28, popularly called ‘Da-Gold’ in Computer Village, Ikeja and Ifako Ijaiye, had been on the run after police began a crackdown on the robbery gangs supplying him mobile phones.

The suspect also confessed to have maintained links with three-armed robbery gangs who constantly supplied him with stolen phones and other valuables after their operations.

He sold the phones in Computer Village, Ikeja and shipped some to Kwara, Osun and Oyo States to make tracking of the stolen phones difficult for security operatives to retrieve if investigated.

Abiodun Tajudeen (a.k.a. Shalori) and Moshood Akinwande (a.k.a. Orobo), had sold some phones and other valuables to Da-Gold early this year which is the cause of his present arrest.

Investigations by the police revealed that both Tajudeen and Akinwande are presently in police custody over different robbery cases.

Also in his confessional Statement, Da-Gold said ‘police crack team in Magbon arrested AY’s gang who linked me as the receiver of all their stolen phones and I was arrested. The Police later recovered about seven smart phones from me.’

“I have different colours and designs of the hoodie sweatshirt and I often avoid some areas to avoid getting arrested while I continue my business.”

Sources disclosed that Da-Gold stayed in Fagba Railway Line where he bought the robbed mobile phones before ferrying them to Computer Village, Ikeja, to sell them to retailers anxiously waiting for him.

It was gathered that many of the retailers preferred to meet him first so that they can buy some of the best phones from him.

It was also revealed that Da-Gold is dreaded in Fagba, thereby making it difficult for community members to co-operate with the police.