In Edo State, 8 individuals have been taken into custody by the Edo State Police Command regarding the alleged theft of transformers, 12 tyres, and a truck.
During a parade in Benin City on Wednesday, the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, disclosed that the suspects were apprehended for charges related to armed robbery and malicious damage.
The arrested suspects were identified as Lazarus Ifeanyi, Nnamdi Osita, Celestial Eze, Lucky Nwosu, Obidiwe Ekene, Uche Onu, Okorie, Ekene Onyedika, and Frances Okafor.
The arrest stemmed from a petition filed by Collins Oboh Osamuyimen, reporting an incident where unknown armed individuals invaded Colosa Concrete Pole Company in Evbuomoma Community, Benin City. They proceeded to tie up the security guards and absconded with two electrical transformers, a Scania truck, and 12 tyres to an undisclosed location.
Further investigation lead to the apprehension of Lazarus Ifeanyi in Onitsha, Anambra State. He confessed to purchasing the stolen truck from Okorie Ekene Onyedika, known for dealing with stolen vehicles. In addition, he confessed to acquiring a newly branded Scania truck with a 12-tyre capacity from Frances Okafor, mentioning four other accomplices who were arrested in the Onitsha area of Anambra State.
The suspects also admitted to belonging to a notorious armed robbery gang that targeted empty gas cylinders in Akure, Ondo State. They would transport the items to Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, where Frances Okafor’s sibling, who owns a shop in the area, would handle the offloading.
The Commissioner mentioned that the suspects were making plans for another robbery in Imo State prior to their apprehension.
Adegboye stated that all the stolen items are currently in police custody, with the suspects set to face legal charges.