Manchester Gang Members Jailed for Total of 131 Years
Ten members of the notorious ‘M40’ gang have been handed a combined 131 years behind bars at Preston Crown Court today. The sentence follows a harrowing conspiracy to murder and violent assaults tied to a brutal gang feud.
Leaders Get Heavy Sentences
- Harry Oni, aka ‘BP’, Mythorn Walk – 21 years for conspiracy to murder
- Jeffery Ojo, aka ‘B9’, Newick Walk – 21 years
- Gideon Kalumda, aka ‘Jamie Trapp’, William Lister Close – 21 years
- Brooklyn Jitobah, Bluestone Road – 20 years
Other gang members who played roles in violent assaults received eight-year sentences each:
- Simon Thorne, aka ‘SJ’, Rhine Drive
- Martin Thomas, aka ‘MJ’, Broadoak Road
- Ademola Adedeji, aka ‘Stormzy’, Beehive Road, Bolton
- Raymond Savi, aka ‘RS’, Droylsden Road
- Omolade Okoya, aka ‘O1’, Whitecar Avenue
- Azim Okunola, aka ‘Y’ or ‘Y Hushpuppi’, Silvercroft Street
Gang War Sparks Deadly Retaliation
The ‘M40’ gang—also known as ‘2×2’, ‘4s’, ‘Lane Boys’, or ‘Laners’—originated from Manchester’s M40 postcode. In late 2020, a violent rivalry with rival gangs from Oldham and Rochdale, known as ‘PMG,’ ‘RTD,’ or ‘706,’ exploded into bloodshed.
On Bonfire Night 2020, gang member Alexander John Soyoye was cornered in M40 territory and brutally stabbed to death. Within hours, the gang had begun plotting revenge attacks against suspected rivals.
Adedeji, Savi, Okoya, and Okunola picked the targets and scouted their locations. Meanwhile, Oni, Ojo, Kalumda, Jitobah, Thorne, and Thomas armed themselves and set out to launch violent attacks.
Police Crack Encrypted Chats, Thwarted Deadly Plans
The plot fell apart when Oni was arrested for violent disorder linked to the incident. Police cracked the gang’s encrypted messaging app, uncovering hundreds of thousands of messages that exposed plans for multiple attacks and further violence.
CCTV footage shown in court revealed chilling assaults carried out by M40 gang members.
This case highlights the ongoing hidden work by our officers to stop violent crime in Greater Manchester,” said Detective Superintendent Nat Dalby of GMP’s Rochdale district. “We have proven these ten men conspired to kill or severely harm others, and today they face the full force of justice. This should reassure the public and warn offenders alike.”
The lengthy investigation by Rochdale’s Serious and Organised Crime Team has ended with a definitive victory for law enforcement—and a deadly gang locked away for years.
