Four Nigerians and six other individuals involved in a violent phone robbery gang that terrorized London have been sentenced to a total of 55 years imprisonment by the Kingston Crown Court in the United Kingdom. The convicted Nigerians are David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole. They were part of a coordinated criminal operation that carried out 13 armed robberies targeting high-value mobile phones and electronic devices from retail outlets, primarily EE stores, between September and November 2024.
According to the UK Metropolitan Police, the gang used intimidation and threats of violence to force staff to open secure stockrooms, enabling them to escape with stolen items worth approximately £240,000. Police investigators gathered evidence linking the suspects to the crimes through DNA samples, call records, and vehicle tracking data. After surveillance and raids on multiple addresses related to the gang, stolen merchandise and further evidence were recovered.
The group was apprehended on November 19th, 2024, while attempting another robbery at an EE outlet in Kilburn. Eight of the suspects pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob, and two others pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. Sentences handed down on November 7th, 2025, include: James Adodo: 10 years, David Akintola: 6 years and 6 months, Michael Babo: 6 years and 10 month, Robert Hills: 5 years and 3 months, Ayomide Olaribiro: 4 years and 6 months, Nelson Joel: 3 years and 3 months, Olabiyi Obasa: 3 years and 6 months, David Okewole: 7 years and 6 months, Laville Bloise (attempted robbery): 2 years (suspended for 2 years), and Mushtakim Miah (attempted robbery): 8 years and 6 months.
The Metropolitan Police praised the investigation team’s diligence in dismantling a network responsible for violent commercial robberies that affected multiple London areas. The police emphasized the importance of their work in curbing this crime wave and recovering stolen property from the group’s operations.
