Nigerian immigrant jailed after mugging four men in an out-of-control crime spree in U.K

Nigerian immigrant jailed after mugging four men in an out-of-control crime spree in U.K

A Nigerian-born man has been sentenced to five years in prison in the United Kingdom after carrying out a series of street robberies that targeted four men in central London.

Wasiu Smith, 26, who holds a Dutch passport and has lived in the UK since 2019, was convicted over attacks that took place near Farringdon Tube Station on November 4, 2025. During the robberies, he stole mobile phones, a work laptop and an opal heirloom ring valued at £600.

According to court proceedings, Smith assaulted one victim outside

a gym before fleeing with his work bag, threatened another man while pretending to have a weapon, forced a third victim to hand over his valuable ring, and attempted to rob a fourth businessman by blocking his path on the pavement.

Police later arrested Smith on a bus and recovered the stolen items along with a wrap of crack cocaine. During questioning, he denied the offences, claiming the recovered property belonged to him and insisting the drug had been planted.

His lawyer argued there could have been an innocent reason for him keeping one hand in his pocket during the robberies, suggesting he may simply have been cold. However, the judge rejected the explanation, stating it was inconsistent with the evidence.

Smith was convicted of three counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, common assault and possession of a Class A drug. While sentencing him, the judge said he showed “no insight and no remorse” and concluded the crimes were committed to fund his crack cocaine use.