Four Nigerians jailed in UK for violent Mobile Phone robberies across London

Four Nigerians have been sentenced to long prison terms in the United Kingdom for their roles in a violent robbery gang that targeted mobile phone stores across London.

The group, convicted alongside six other accomplices, received a combined jail sentence of 55 years following a verdict by Kingston Crown Court.

According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police on Monday, the Nigerians — identified as David Akintola, Ayomide Olaribiro, Olabiyi Obasa, and David Okewole — were among the key members of the syndicate that terrorised electronics and telecommunications outlets across the city. Their accomplices include James Adodo, Robert Hills, Nelson Joel, Michael Babo, Mushtakim Miah, and Laville Bloise.

Investigations revealed that between September and November 2024, the gang carried out 13 coordinated robberies, mostly targeting EE mobile stores across the UK. Police said the group used threats of violence to compel staff to open secure storage rooms before fleeing with high-value phones and devices worth about £240,000.

Their arrest came after forensic and digital evidence linked them to multiple crime scenes. Officers gathered DNA samples, call records, and vehicle data that placed the suspects at the robberies. The breakthrough came on November 19, 2024, when detectives apprehended four members during an attempted robbery at an EE outlet in Kilburn.

Searches at their residences led to the discovery of stolen phones and further incriminating evidence. Following their arrests, all ten suspects were charged in court, and eight pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob on January 30, 2025. Sentencing took place on Friday, November 7, 2025.

The police listed the sentences as follows:

James Adodo, 10 years’ imprisonment

David Akintola, 6 years and 6 months

Michael Babo, 6 years and 10 months

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

Two others received lighter sentences after admitting to attempted robbery:

Laville Bloise, two years’ imprisonment (suspended for two years)

Mushtakim Miah, eight years and six months’ imprisonment.

Police authorities said the successful prosecution marked the end of a violent crime spree that had unsettled retail staff and communities across London.