Daniel Otera
Four Nigerians and six other members of an organised crime gang have been sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison by a United Kingdom court for a string of violent phone store robberies that shook London and its surrounding areas.
Kingston Crown Court handed down the sentences after months of investigation and trial, confirming the group’s involvement in a coordinated series of robberies that targeted electronics and telecommunications outlets between September and November 2024.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that the Nigerians identified as David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole played key roles in the criminal operation. They worked alongside six British nationals James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise — to terrorise staff at phone stores across the city.
According to investigators, the gang primarily struck at EE stores, using threats and violence to force employees to open secure stockrooms. They then carted away high-value smartphones and gadgets worth about £240,000.
“The group targeted mostly EE stores, using threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before making off with high-value mobile phones and other devices,” the police said.
Their operation was eventually dismantled after detectives linked several members to crime scenes through DNA traces, call data, and vehicle records. Surveillance teams trailed the suspects for weeks and made a breakthrough on November 19, 2024, when four members were caught red-handed during a robbery attempt at an EE shop in Kilburn.
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Police searches later uncovered stolen phones and more evidence tying the suspects to the crimes.
“All 10 suspects were charged in court, and eight of them pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob,” the statement added.
They were sentenced on November 7, 2025, as follows:
James Adodo – 10 years’ imprisonment
David Akintola – 6 years, 6 months
Michael Babo – 6 years, 10 months
Robert Hills – 5 years, 3 months
Ayomide Olaribiro – 4 years, 6 months
Nelson Joel – 3 years, 3 months
Olabiyi Obasa – 3 years, 6 months
David Okewole – 7 years, 6 months
Two others who admitted to attempted robbery received lesser sentences.
Laville Bloise got a two-year suspended sentence, while Mushtakim Miah was handed eight years and six months behind bars.
Detectives said the gang’s conviction sends “a strong message that organised retail crime will not go unpunished.”
Authorities in the UK have been tightening surveillance on similar coordinated theft operations in recent months, describing them as a growing threat to retail safety and urban security.