My friend invited me to rob his company of workers’ salary –Suspect

A robbery suspect, Chimezie Stephen Osuagwu, currently being quizzed by men of the Special Anti Squad (SARS) Lagos State Police Command, has confessed to the failed robbery attack on a firm, but said he was lured by his friend, Austin Chukwuemeka, who worked in the firm to carry out the attack and snatch workers salary.

Chimezie was arrested in February by policemen from Ajah Police Division and transferred to SARS.


A locally made den gun used for the operation was recovered and transferred along with the suspect to SARS.

The suspect and his friend, Austin, tried to rob the company known as Four Brothers Company in Ajah on February 28, 2015.

Austin, an insider brought the information that the accountant to the company had gone and withdrew some money for workers’ salary and invited Chiemezie for the robbery.

The suspects were said to have accosted the accountant with Chiemezie wielding a gun while Austin led him into the office of the accountant.

Chiemezie, it was gathered, pointed the gun at the accountant and asked him to surrender the money but the accountant summoned courage and shouted for help.

This attracted other staff and out of fear, Chiemzie dropped the gun that had only one cartridge.

He attempted to run, but he was apprehended by the workers and handed over to the police.

When Austin realized that the plot had failed, he took to his heels and escaped. Police is still hunting for him. When his house was searched as he also ran away from his house, two knives believed to be used for robbery were recovered.

In his confession, Chiemzie, 34, from Azawa Obiato, Iseke in Mba Itolu, Imo State said, “I live in Shapati area of Ajah, Lagos. I worked as a waiter at Royal Bliss Hotel and earn N18, 000 per month. I was arrested for armed robbery. My friend, Chukwuemeka Austin, who wanted to resign from where he was working and go back to his village in Enugu State, invited me to rob the company of the workers’ monthly salary. I borrowed the gun from a hunter in Contonou. My friend told me that the money was between N2 and N3 million. I agreed because he said we will share the money 50-50. The knives were recovered from his house. We had only one cartridge inside the gun. This is my first time of going for robbery”.

Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu confirmed the arrest.

Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed while effort is on to arrest the fleeing accomplice.

Source: Daily Independent