Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, have
arrested three persons alleged to have burgled a store in Ikeja area of Lagos last
December and carted away gold jewellery worth N23 million and over N100,000
cash.
arrested three persons alleged to have burgled a store in Ikeja area of Lagos last
December and carted away gold jewellery worth N23 million and over N100,000
cash.
One of the suspects was discovered to be a private guard to
the owner of the shop, one Mrs Ekong.
the owner of the shop, one Mrs Ekong.
Preliminary investigation, according to the operatives, showed
that the suspected mastermind, Moses Obande, allegedly applied as a guard with
a fake house address and unregistered SIM card which made it difficult for him
to be trailed after the crime.
that the suspected mastermind, Moses Obande, allegedly applied as a guard with
a fake house address and unregistered SIM card which made it difficult for him
to be trailed after the crime.
It was also revealed that Obande was once charged for kidnap
and murder. He was alleged to have kidnapped an unnamed woman alongside members
of a kidnap syndicate some years ago in Sagamu area of Ogun State, collected
ransom and later murdered the victim.
and murder. He was alleged to have kidnapped an unnamed woman alongside members
of a kidnap syndicate some years ago in Sagamu area of Ogun State, collected
ransom and later murdered the victim.
He was said to have worked for Mrs Ekong between October and
December last year. Along the line, he reportedly contacted two other guards,
Ogbulaja Ogaba and Izechukwu Ezeobi, to assist him in breaking into the
jewellery store located on Unity Road, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.
December last year. Along the line, he reportedly contacted two other guards,
Ogbulaja Ogaba and Izechukwu Ezeobi, to assist him in breaking into the
jewellery store located on Unity Road, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.
According to the 32-year- old father of two who hails from
Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, “I found it difficult to secure a
job because I am a secondary school drop-out. So, I decided to use a fake
address to apply for security job last October, where I was paid N17,000 per
month. But the money was not enough to fend for my wife and two children.
Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, “I found it difficult to secure a
job because I am a secondary school drop-out. So, I decided to use a fake
address to apply for security job last October, where I was paid N17,000 per
month. But the money was not enough to fend for my wife and two children.
“At a point, a devilish thought came into my mind to burgle
my boss’ shop. I contacted two of my friends to assist and we went to buy
chemicals which we poured on the wall. We left with the intention of coming
back at midnight. By then the portion we poured the chemical would have
weakened, thereby allowing us easy passage.
my boss’ shop. I contacted two of my friends to assist and we went to buy
chemicals which we poured on the wall. We left with the intention of coming
back at midnight. By then the portion we poured the chemical would have
weakened, thereby allowing us easy passage.
“But I did not wait for them to arrive before I broke into
the shop. I went alone for two reasons: to get the largest share of the loot
and to prevent a situation whereby their movement would attract people.
the shop. I went alone for two reasons: to get the largest share of the loot
and to prevent a situation whereby their movement would attract people.
“I also decided to do it alone because I had earlier carried
out similar burglary where I was a guard. I made away with gold chains and a
cash of N108,000. I kept the cash to myself and gave 35 neck chains (gold) to
Ogaba while I took the remaining to Yaba market where I sold them for
N1,105,000.
out similar burglary where I was a guard. I made away with gold chains and a
cash of N108,000. I kept the cash to myself and gave 35 neck chains (gold) to
Ogaba while I took the remaining to Yaba market where I sold them for
N1,105,000.
“The original price was more than that. The person that
bought it from me cheated me by cutting off the price tags on them. Some of
them had price tags between N250,000 and N350,000. The least was N75,000.
bought it from me cheated me by cutting off the price tags on them. Some of
them had price tags between N250,000 and N350,000. The least was N75,000.
“Ogaba told me he sold the 35 pieces I gave to him for
N80,000 to one Jubril Garba. But I know he lied. But I did not argue with him.
I told him that was his share.
N80,000 to one Jubril Garba. But I know he lied. But I did not argue with him.
I told him that was his share.
“After the sales, I immediately moved my family to Benue
State. I opened a hair dressing saloon for my wife and invested the rest in
plank business. When my wife asked where I got the money from, I told her I was
paid off at my place of work.
State. I opened a hair dressing saloon for my wife and invested the rest in
plank business. When my wife asked where I got the money from, I told her I was
paid off at my place of work.
“Immediately, I destroyed the unregistered SIM card my boss
was used to and started life afresh with a promise never to delve into crime
again.”
was used to and started life afresh with a promise never to delve into crime
again.”
I paid my siblings’ WAEC fees with the proceeds
However, eight months after the crime was committed, Obande
was arrested in his home town. His arrest followed the confessional statement
of one of his alleged partners in crime, Ogbulaja Ogaba.
was arrested in his home town. His arrest followed the confessional statement
of one of his alleged partners in crime, Ogbulaja Ogaba.
Ogaba said: “I only got N80,000 but did not partake in the
operation. Obande initially invited me to assist him burgle the gold
supermarket.
operation. Obande initially invited me to assist him burgle the gold
supermarket.
“On the day in question, December 22, 2013, he later called
me to meet him in a hotel where he gave me 35 pieces of jewellery to sell. I
was yet to finish selling it when he called me on the phone that he was leaving
Lagos for his home town.
me to meet him in a hotel where he gave me 35 pieces of jewellery to sell. I
was yet to finish selling it when he called me on the phone that he was leaving
Lagos for his home town.
“When I asked him about the money with me , he said I should
have fun with it. I ended up using it to pay for my siblings West Africa
Examinations Council ,WAEC examination fees.”
have fun with it. I ended up using it to pay for my siblings West Africa
Examinations Council ,WAEC examination fees.”
On his part, 36-year-old Izuchukwu Ezeobi also claimed not
to have joined Obande in the operation but said: “My job was just to provide a
buyer. I did not even collect a kobo at the end.”
to have joined Obande in the operation but said: “My job was just to provide a
buyer. I did not even collect a kobo at the end.”
The suspects, according to the Police, would be charged to
court soon.
court soon.
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