The thwarted bank robbery in Mbappe, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory, was revealed to have involved the complicity of a bank staff, Larry Ehizo. The 30-year-old Customer Service Officer of a first-generation bank in Abuja, confessed to his involvement when he was paraded before journalists at the FCT police command headquarters.
Ehizo disclosed that he was coerced by one Ernest, the mastermind of the robbery who is currently at large. Ernest had threatened to harm Ehizo, his girlfriend, and his family if he did not assist them in robbing the bank. As a result, Ehizo drove the five robbers to the bank premises in his vehicle.
Detailing his ordeal, Ehizo recounted his interactions with Ernest and the subsequent threats he faced. He explained how Ernest had used their prior disagreement to blackmail him into compliance. The coercion extended to threats against Ehizo’s family, his girlfriend, and even himself. He expressed fear of going to the police as Ernest, being a cultist, had already informed his accomplices and cautioned Ehizo against seeking help from the authorities.
Ehizo further described how Ernest had brought the robbers to his house and insisted that he facilitate their entry into the bank. Despite his reluctance, the threats made him comply out of fear for his life and the safety of his loved ones. He also revealed that Ernest, a customer at the bank, frequented a bar where they had previously socialized, fostering a seemingly amicable relationship.
In a similar vein, one of the suspects, Princewill Obinna, revealed that Ehizo and Ernest had assured them that the robbery would be a swift operation. Obinna detailed how he was introduced to Ehizo and was persuaded to partake in the heist, emphasizing that they were promised N7 million to share.
The operation, however, did not go as planned, as the police reported that no money was stolen during the attack.