Police parade 49 suspects allegedly terrorizing Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Thursday, paraded 49 criminal suspects who were allegedly terrorizing Abuja community.

Information gathered revealed that they were arrested for various crimes bothering on kidnapping, robbery, car theft, one chance robbery, drug abuse, cultism and others.

Among them were six suspects, who allegedly stole a safe containing foreign currency belonging to their employer.

The employer, Casmir Anyanwu, reportedly travelled out of town when his cook, in connivance with his friends and brother, allegedly stole the safe from Anyanwu’s Apo home in Abuja.

The suspects, who found $22,000 in the safe and shared it unevenly among themselves, also used part of the money to buy generators, electrical appliances and other household items.

The suspects, from Benin Republic, are: Samuel Tchikhi, Francis Kpohouede, George Akinto, Donald Tokpe, Honore Tokpe and Emmanuel Savi.

Addressing the newsmen during the parade, Police Commissioner Bala Ciroma said: “As part of the command’s determination to ensure crimes reported are discreetly investigated and perpetrators arrested, operatives of the command’s special anti-robbery squad have arrested six suspects for the theft of a safe containing large amount of foreign currencies from the Apo home of one of their employers.

“Samuel Tchikhi, who was newly- employed as a cook in the house, conspired with his cohorts to move the safe from Apo in a taxi to Crush Rock, Mpape, where a hammer was used to break it. They shared the money contained therein.

“The suspects have made statements on their roles in the crime. According to them, the proceeds of the crime were used to buy generators, electrical appliances, and other items, which have been recovered as exhibits. Some unspent cash have also been recovered as exhibits.”

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The cook, who had only spent three days as an employee of the Anyanwus, said he decided to steal the safe on his fourth day in the house.

Narrating how he stole the money, Tchikhi said: “I have been in Nigeria since 2008. I did not know what pushed me to steal. The truth is that my boss does not maltreat me, but I don’t know why I stole the money.

“I was a worker at Prince and Princess Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State, but I decided to leave because of the salary, which is just N35,000. I took the job in Abuja because the pay is higher. I was offered N40,000.

“I was newly employed in the house. It was my fourth day in the house that I decided to carry my boss’ safe containing $22,000. I did not count the money very well, but I gave my brother $600. I used mine to buy clothes and phone. The balance was returned to the police when I was arrested.”

The CP said the suspects would be arraigned upon completion of investigation.

 

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