Arrested cross-border suspected robbers at different markets, including the popular Alaba International Market in Lagos State, have revealed how they hid under the name of trading to wreck havoc on law abiding citizens and terrorise banks in Nigeria and outside of the country.
Five of the suspects were recently arrested by operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State police command, after about a year of trailing the activities of some members of the gang.
The arrested suspects included John Nnamdi, who owns one of the biggest stores at the Alaba International Market; Iheanacho Igwe, another trader and Chinenye David.
The state police boss, Kayode Aderanti, while speaking on the arrest of the suspects, said the gang participated in major robberies including a bank robbery in Port Novo, Benin Republic, a filling station and a Bureau de Change in Mali.
He added that, “They made an attempt to rob a UBA branch in Shagamu Road Ikorodu. They participated in several robberies in Port Harcourt, Kano and the biggest of it all was the N100 million successful robbery in Alakija area of Lagos from which Nnamdi John built a mansion at the Igando area of the metropolis and Iheanacho Igwe built a duplex in his village in Ebonyi State.”
John, while speaking with Crime & Security said that “I participated in a robbery operation where we made over one hundred million naira and I got twenty eight million naira as my share. What kind of business could I have done to get that kind of money?”
The suspect narrated further that “I am a businessman at the Alaba International Market. I deal in musical instruments. The same thing is applicable to my members. They have one business or the other in the market. Some sell generator parts or sets; others sell one thing or the other to deceive people that we are into genuine businesses. We robbed a man travelling from Cotonou.”
On how they got the information that the man was holding a huge amount of money, John said that “It was our informant that told us that the man was coming into the country. It was the most successful robbery operation that I ever participated in. Others got N25 to N18 million, depending on their roles. I am the gang leader.
“The second robbery was in Cotonou. We raided a bank. We got big money also. But I can’t say how much. I know I got N17 million and my boys got as much as N5 million each.”
The suspects, while speaking on robberies outside Nigeria, said “Robberies in Cotonou are easier than what happens in Nigeria. In Cotonou, you don’t even need a gun to operate. But in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, you need to be very careful.”
On why he continued to participate in robberies even after making enough money, the suspect said that “Well, I built a very magnificent building in my village. I have another one in Lagos. I bought some cars but I regret everything now. I am going to be ashamed both in the market and in my village because people see me as a big guy. What of my church? I am finished; I am a Catholic and an active church member who belongs to many societies. My church members will now see me as an evil person. I am exposed to ridicule. Well, many people in Alaba International Market and other market places are into armed robbery or other illegal businesses. Like Victor Anamalechi, he is my gang member and he sells generating sets. He is equally seen in the market as a big man. The other person, Ihenacho Igwe (aka Messiah) is not in Alaba Market, but when he got much money, he invested in trucks. He also bought some taxis and commercial buses. He really utilised his money very well but all is now vanity.
“My advice to people is that they should not be envious of other people that they see in affluence. Many of them could have acquired their wealth through illegal means, especially armed robbery. More so, the money one gets through armed robbery brings fear and apprehension as one is forced to live in perpetual fear. Now, I have been living in fear and the thing I was afraid of all this while has finally happened to me. I have been arrested and I don’t know my fate yet.”
Source: Tribune
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