Four Nigerians Jailed for London Robberies
By Akeem Oduyoye
Not fewer than four Nigerians and others have been jailed in the United Kingdom for a series of violent robberies that targeted mobile phone stores across London and other parts of the country.
The metro police spoke person descibed the group as a “well- coordinated criminal gang,” was found guilty of carrying out 13 robberies between September and November 2024, stealing high-value phones and gadgets worth around £240,000.
The four Nigerians who have been jailed in United Kingdom are David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole and others for a series of violent robberies that targeted mobile phone stores.
According to Metropolitan Police, the men stormed several EE mobile phone outlets, using threats and intimidation to force staff into unlocking secure storerooms. After grabbing as many devices as they could, they fled before officers could respond. Their months-long crime spree came to an end after police linked them to multiple robbery scenes through DNA, phone records, and vehicle tracking.
Detectives said the breakthrough came on November 19, 2024, when officers caught four gang members attempting another robbery at an EE store in Kilburn, northwest London. A series of searches that followed led to the recovery of stolen items and evidence connecting the suspects to earlier raids.
The ten men were later charged and appeared before Kingston Crown Court. Eight of them admitted to conspiracy to rob earlier this year on January 30, 2025. After several months of court hearings, all were sentenced on Friday, November 7, 2025.
In the judgment, the group received a combined total of 55 years in prison. Among them, James Adodo, from Dartford, Kent, received the longest term — 10 years in prison. David Akintola, from Woolwich, was sentenced to six years and six months, while Michael Babo, also from Woolwich, was handed six years and ten months. Robert Hills, from Gravesend, Kent, got five years and three months.
Others included Ayomide Olaribiro, from Manor Park, who was jailed for four years and six months; Nelson Joel, from Dartford, sentenced to three years and three months; Olabiyi Obasa, from Dartford, received three years and six months; and David Okewole, from Northfleet, Kent, got seven years and six months.
Two additional suspects, including Laville Bloise of Thamesmead, admitted to attempted robbery and were given lighter sentences — two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Metro Police said the gang’s operation showed a high level of planning, coordination, and aggression. “They worked as a team, used fear to control staff, and moved quickly before officers could arrive,” one investigator explained. The Metropolitan Police praised the success of the operation, noting that digital and forensic evidence played a key role in exposing and dismantling the network.