Lagos Police have arrested six personswho allegedly operate as personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command, led by Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police.
The suspects are Princewill Eze who goes by the name of Senator Nwobodo. The 55 year-old Eze is the gang leader. Others are 32 year-old Amira Abdallahi, a Lebanese lady whose mother is from Edo State, Daniel Okpara alias Dankwa, 30, Paul Irior ,37, Bassey Williams Ekpeyong, 39, and Royal Nwabuike, 32.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include Bryco 59 Pistol with Serial No. 930945 and six rounds of 5.56MM live ammunition, single barrel pistol cut to size with four lives cartidges, Toyota Highlander Jeep Ash colour Reg. no lsr 110 db, Toyota Highlander Jeep Maroon colour Reg. no lsr 671 dk, Toyota Highlander Jeep Maroon Reg. No ktu 38u, Toyota Sienna 2012 Model Reg. No. jjj 424 cq, Toyota 4Runner Reg. No. krd 449 bg, Toyota Camry saloon car Unregistered with four million Naira, (N4,000,000.00) cash and thirteen thousand US DOLLARS ($13,000) cash.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Kayode Aderanti who paraded the suspects at the headquarters of Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday said that on 25th February, 2015 at about 5 p.m., he received a tip-off that a gang of armed robbers who uses EFCC Uniforms, handcuffs and guns to rob bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos State of foreign currencies including Dollars, Pounds Sterlings and Euro were sighted on the prawl.
The CP stated that he immediately directed the 0/C SARS SP Abba kyari to launch a massive manhunt and round up the criminals. Thereafter, he continued, the 0/C SARS swiftly deployed cutting edge technological tools on ground and eventually tracked and arrested the kingpin one Princewell Eze, a.k.a Senator Nwobodo who lives in VGC, Ajah, on 27th February, 2015 at about 4p.m. He disclosed that the confession of Eze led to the arrest of a female Lebanese Nationale and gang member, one Amira Abdallahi, Daniel Okpara a.k.a Dankwa, Paul Irior, 37 years, who is a dismissed Police Corporal, Bassey Williams Ekpenyong, 39, who was charged to Court by SARS for kidnapping in 2012 and one Royal Nwabuike.
The CP narrated how the suspects were arrested in Delta, Abuja, Ogun and Lagos states, adding that they all confessed to several robberies within Lagos and Abuja.
“Also during the follow up, one Bryco 59 pistol with S/No. 930945 with six rounds of 5.5.6mm live ammunition, one single barrel pistol cut to size with four rounds of live cartridges, about Four Million Naira (N4000,000.00) cash, Thirteen Thousand US boilers ($13,000), three (3) exotic Highlander Jeeps, one Toyota Sienna, one Toyota 4Runner jeep and Toyota Camry Car which the suspects procured with the proceeds of robbery escapades have been recovered. Also the ring leader Princewell Eze built a hotel in Edo State while other members built houses in Delta, Ogun and Lagos States,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, the CP assured that serious efforts are ongoing towards the arrest of the only gang member at large.
“The Command wishes to use this opportunity to enjoin all Lagosians to keep on availing us of credible information and actionable intelligence. Once again we want to assures Lagosians that the command has put in place adequate security arrangements to ensure the safety of lives and properties.”