The Edo State Police Command has apprehended eight suspects in connection with the alleged theft of transformers, a truck, and 12 tyres.
The State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, disclosed this during a parade of the suspects in Benin City on Wednesday.
Adegboye stated that the suspects were arrested for armed robbery and malicious damage.
Those arrested were identified as Lazarus Ifeanyi, Nnamdi Osita, Celestial Eze, Lucky Nwosu, Obidiwe Ekene, Uche Onu, Okorie Ekene Onyedika, and Frances Okafor. Their arrest followed a petition by Collins Oboh Osamuyimen, reporting an incident where unknown armed men invaded Colosa Concrete Pole Company in Evbuomoma Community, Benin City.
The assailants tied the security guards and made away with two electrical transformers, a long Scania truck, and 12 tyres.
The investigation led to the arrest of Lazarus Ifeanyi in Onitsha, Anambra State, who confessed to purchasing the stolen truck from Okorie Ekene Onyedika, known for butchering stolen trucks and other vehicles for sale.
That Command explained that Ifeanyi also revealed that he bought the newly branded Scania trucks from Frances Okafor and disclosed the involvement of four other gang members, all of whom were arrested in the Onitsha area.
Speaking further, Adegboye noted that the suspects confessed to being part of a notorious armed robbery gang that specialized in robbing empty gas cylinders in Akure, Ondo State.
They would then offload the stolen items at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, through Frances Okafor’s brother, who owns a shop at the location in Lagos.
“The suspects were preparing for another robbery in Imo State before their arrest,” the CP said.
Adegboye confirmed that all the stolen items were in police custody and stated that the suspects would be charged in court.
