Police Nab Six Robbery Suspects, Recover Loot

Detectives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, have arrested six suspected armed robbers, including a Lebanese national, for impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to rob bureau de change operators, especially, in Lagos and Abuja.

The suspects, who were paraded by the Commissioner of Police, (CP) Kayode Aderanti, were identified as Princewill Eze, a.k.a. Senator Nwobodo, (55); Amira Abudallahi, (32), a Lebanese national; Daniel Okpara, (30); Paul Irior, (37); Bassey Williams Ekpenyong, (39); and Royal Nwabuike, (32).

Aderanti told newsmen that the suspects were arrested in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, following information received on February 25, 2015 at about 5pm about a gang of armed robbers who used EFCC uniform and handcuffs to rob bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos State of foreign currencies.

Following the information, the CP directed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) led by SP Abba Kyari, to arrest the suspected robbers.

The manhunt paid off as the gang leader, one Princewill Eze a.k.a. Senator Nwobodo, was arrested at Ajah area of Lagos State on February 27, 2015 at about 4pm. His confession led to the arrest of a female member of the gang, a Lebanese national, one Amira Abudallahi and other suspects.

According to Aderanti, “the suspects, who were arrested in Delta, Abuja, Ogun and Lagos State, confessed to have carried out several robberies in Lagos and Abuja. Also during the follow up investigation, the following were recovered from them: One Bryco59 pistol, with serial No. 930945, with six rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition; single barrel pistol, cut to size with four live cartridges; a grey Toyota Highlander jeep, with registration number LSR 110 DB; another Toyota Highlander jeep, maroon colour, with registration number, LSR 671 DK; Toyota Highlander jeep maroon colour, with registration number, KTU380 DK; Toyota Sienna 2012 model, with registration number JJ 424 CQ; Toyota four runner with registration number, KRD 449 DG; an unregistered Toyota Camry salon car; N4million cash and S13,000 cash.”

One of the suspects, a dismissed Police Corporal, identified as Bassey Williams Ekpenyong, had earlier been arrested and charged to court by SARS operatives for kidnapping in 2012, while the leader of the gang, Princewill Eze, who invested his loot in the hospitality industry, said he never coerced anybody into the gang, because “everyone joined the gang of their own freewill as adults.

“I was already in the hospitality business before I went into robbery. So all the proceeds from it was invested in the business. The Senator title was just an appellation, I did not hold any political position. I live in a rented apartment at Victoria Garden City (VGC)”, he added.

The father of five said his children also benefitted from the loot, as some of them were schooling abroad. “I have five children and three of my daughters are in school abroad. We have made about N15m. I have used the money to buy different properties, but the police have seized them all. I bought different vehicles too. We don’t use guns, my role was to act as policeman. I wear uniforms and pose with the fake EFCC officials. Any time they had a deal, they invited me. Sometimes, I get N1million per operation.”

According to the only female suspect, Amira Abudallahi, “I joined the gang about a year ago, but, I began to work with them six months ago, I am an interior designer, I just had a baby, my baby is six months old now. Since I started working with them, I have made over N12 million. I used part of it to buy a car and the other to pay my children’s school fees because I take care of them, I have five kids, but, I am divorced.

“It was my financial responsibility and the economic situation in the country that led me into the gang. I live in Lekki. What I do for the gang is that I converse with prospective victims on the phone. Senator gives me the number, tells me what to say and then I call the victim. I have not built any house; I still live in a rented apartment”, she added.

Recounting his experience, Royal Nwabuike, said “I am 32 years old, I attended Auchi Polytechnic, I later attended the Delta State University. Upon graduation I got a job as a real estate and property manager in Onistha, but, the company, eventually, closed down.

“I later attended a Marine School, which enabled me to work at sea, unfortunately, the company was sold to an Indian man, who sacked all the workers, while we weren’t paid any gratuity. It was at this point that my friend, called Bassey, introduced me to the Senator, who is the gang leader. Senator promised to help me secure a job with a company.

“When I called Senator he asked me to meet him at Eko Meridian Hotel in Lagos where he lodged. After explaining my situation to him, he said he would get back to me the next day, but, he didn’t. About three weeks later, he called and asked me to meet him in a secured location.

“When I got there, he asked me to enter his vehicle. He told me that there was someone he wanted me to meet that would give me a large amount of money. He said I should tell the person that I was from the EFCC, at that time, we have not started using the EFCC vest. Senator is the one that tells the victims that we are from the EFCC, which has corruption charges against them. The victims would prefer to settle with us rather than go to the EFCC office.

“I have gone on about seven operations and made close to N10million; I used part of the proceeds to buy a Four Runner jeep, 2004 model for N2.4 million. The remaining money is in my account and my wife’s account. I also rented and furnished the house where I live in Lagos. I also built a house in my village and I am married with a kid.

DSP Ken Nwosu, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, said that efforts were on to arrest the remaining suspect, who was on the run.