FSARS Bursts Fleeing Drivers Inside Hotel, Recovers N4m Stolen Goods From Them

PAUL IYOGHOJIE

Three fleeing drivers, who allegedly diverted 1,200 bags of animal feeds valued at N4,081,000 entrusted in their care by the management of Grand Cereals Limited in Onitsha, Anambra State to deliver to a customer in Lagos, have been arrested in a hotel in Lagos.

The arrest, according to the police, was made possible by a team led by DSP Olaniyi Festus attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island.

Police identified the arrested suspects as Osas Sampson Agboselobhor, 37, a resident of Abule Egba, Lagos from Edo State, Onyebuchi Nwobi, 32 who claimed to live at Olodi Apapa and Abuchi Ogbonna, 32 who resides at Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

Police alleged that trouble began for the suspects when they were contracted by the management of Grand Cereals Limited in Onitsha in Anambra State as truck drivers to convey 1,200 bags of animal feeds in their truck with Reg. No. FGG72-XC to a customer Mr. Afolabi Ayodele in Lagos at a fee of N120,000.

Police alleged that the suspects loaded the bags and headed to Lagos after they have collected N102,000 in advance from the agreed transport fee of N120,000.

They were expected to deliver the goods within 24 hours.

Police alleged that instead of delivering the goods to the owner, the suspects diverted the goods to Ibadan, Oyo State and offloaded into a warehouse and relocated to Lagos to look for a buyer for it.

When the management of Grand Cereals Limited could not find the suspect and their goods within two days, they reported the matter to the DCP in charge of FSARS, Lagos, Mr. Ibrahim Kaoje.

Following the report, DCP Kaoje directed a team led by DSP Olaniyi Festus to fish out the suspects and the goods.

And the police through intelligence gathering swooped on the suspects at a hotel in Egbeda, Lagos and arrested them and took them to the station.

During interrogation, according to the police, the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime that they diverted the goods and they led the police to Ibadan, Oyo State to recover the goods.

After investigations, the suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere magistrate court, Lagos on a two count charge of stealing.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Nosa Uhumwangho, said the offenses the accused persons committed are punishable under sections 411 and 287()(a)(b) of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the police allegations in the open court and magistrate Mrs. Joy Ugbomoiko, admitted them on bail in like sum of N200,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

Ugbomoiko adjourned the case till 5 May, 2017 for mention while the suspects were taken to Ikoyi prison, Lagos pending when they will fulfill their bail conditions.