Four Nigerians involved in a phone-robbery syndicate that terrorized London have been sentenced to a combined total of 55 years in prison by Kingston Crown Court in the United Kingdom.

According to a statement from the UK Metropolitan Police, the convicted individuals include David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole. Other members of the syndicate are James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise.

Between September and November 2024, the group carried out 13 phone-robbery operations across various stores in the UK. The statement detailed that the syndicate primarily targeted EE stores, using threats of violence to force staff to open secure stock rooms before stealing high-value mobile phones and other devices, with a total estimated value of £240,000.

Investigators linked the suspects to the crimes through DNA evidence, call data, and vehicle records. Police observed the group preparing for further robberies and arrested four members in the act at an EE shop in Kilburn on November 19, 2024. Subsequent searches at addresses associated with the suspects recovered stolen devices and additional evidence connecting them to the robberies.

All ten suspects were charged in court, with eight pleading guilty to conspiracy to rob on January 30, 2025. Following their guilty pleas, they were sentenced on November 7, 2025, with prison terms as follows:

James Adodo, St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent – 10 years

David Akintola, Samuel Street, Woolwich – 6 years 6 months

Michael Babo, Gilbert Close, Woolwich – 6 years 10 months

Robert Hills, Mayfield Road, Gravesend, Kent – 5 years 3 months

Ayomide Olaribiro, Warrior Square, Manor Park – 4 years 6 months

Nelson Joel, St Martins Road, Dartford, Kent – 3 years 3 months

Olabiyi Obasa, Norfolk Close, Dartford, Kent – 3 years 6 months

David Okewole, Vale Road, Northfleet, Kent – 7 years 6 months

Two other defendants pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and received the following sentences:

Laville Bloise, Goldcrest Close, Thamesmead – 2 years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years

Mushtakim Miah, Artillery Place, Woolwich – 8 years 6 months

This case highlights ongoing concerns about criminal activities involving Nigerians abroad. Recently, a Nigerian postgraduate student in the UK, Chiemka Okoronta, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and is facing deportation after being convicted of raping a teenage girl.