A UK court has sentenced ten men to a combined 55 years in prison for a series of robberies targeting mobile phone stores.

The group, which included several Nigerian nationals, carried out 13 robberies between September and November 2024, primarily targeting EE stores. Using threats of violence, they forced staff to open secure stock rooms and stole mobile phones and devices valued at approximately £240,000.

According to a statement from the UK Metropolitan Police, investigators used DNA evidence, call data, and vehicle records to link the suspects to the crimes. On November 19, 2024, officers arrested four of the men during an attempted robbery at an EE store in Kilburn. Subsequent searches of linked addresses uncovered stolen devices and further evidence.

Eight of the ten suspects pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob and were sentenced on November 7. The convicted individuals and their sentences are:

· James Adodo: 10 years
· David Okewole: 7 years, 6 months
· Michael Babo: 6 years, 10 months
· David Akintola: 6 years, 6 months
· Robert Hills: 5 years, 3 months
· Ayomide Olaribiro: 4 years, 6 months
· Olabiyi Obasa: 3 years, 6 months
· Nelson Joel: 3 years, 3 months

Two other defendants, Laville Bloise and Mushtakim Miah, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery. Bloise received a two-year suspended sentence, while Miah was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison.