Four Nigerians and six others have been sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison for their involvement in a violent phone-robbery gang that terrorized parts of London. The sentencing was handed down at Kingston Crown Court, UK, following a coordinated investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

The convicted Nigerians are David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole. Others sentenced alongside them include James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the gang carried out 13 armed robberies between September and November 2024, targeting high-value mobile phones and electronic gadgets from retail outlets, mainly EE stores. Using threats and intimidation, the group forced staff to open secure stockrooms, stealing items worth approximately £240,000.

Investigators connected the suspects to the crimes through DNA evidence, call records, and vehicle tracking, and police surveillance led to the arrest of four members on November 19, 2024, while attempting another robbery in Kilburn. Subsequent searches recovered stolen items and additional evidence linking the group to previous crimes.

Eight of the ten suspects pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob on January 30, 2025, and were sentenced on November 7, 2025. Their individual sentences are:

James Adodo – 10 years

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 pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, received separate sentences:

Laville Bloise – 2 years (suspended for 2 years)

Mushtakim Miah – 8 years 6 months

The Metropolitan Police praised the officers for their thorough investigation, noting that the convictions effectively dismantled a dangerous gang responsible for multiple violent commercial robberies across London.