Bleeding profusely from severe torture from some security operatives, Ben narrated to Daily Sun how he was introduced into armed robbery by his friend, Ikenna, after he dropped out from School.
The suspect, who was living with his elder brother at Ajangbadi, Lagos, confessed that he and members of his gang, whose names he gave as, Emeka, Nonso and Nwagbo, usually went to rob people. He claimed it was Nonso, a bus conductor, who sold the idea of the of a robbery operation at Abule-Ado New Site, which gave them away.
According to him, Nonso chose not to participate in the robbery for fear of being identified by one of the would-be victims who was his close friend. He was alleged to have given his colleagues all the details about the man.
Nemesis, however, caught up with them as they embarked on house-to-house raid, dispossessing people their hard earned money and hand sets.
Some security men, who acted on a tip-off, were said to have stormed the scene and nabbed Ben, while his accomplices escaped.
As security operatives nabbed and gave him the beating of his life, his younger brother, who later spoke to Daily Sun. narrated how he was on phone that the victim had an accident and needed help. "All efforts to reach the caller were abortive as he immediately switched off his phone, after informing me where to se my brother.”
According to him, he immediately rushed to the supposedly scene of the accident, only to see his brother, with bruises all over his body and in the midst of people who were screaming, “ole! Ole, God don catch you today" (Thief! Thief! Nemesis has caught up with you).
The brother, who was ashamed as he sighted Ben, said he wanted to deny him. But when Ben sighted him, he started shedding crocodile tears, claiming it was not his intention to go for the robbery. He further claimed it was his friends who forced him into crime.
The suspect, also confessed ownership of the guns they used during their operations. He, however claimed that the guns belonged to his late father.
On how he was arrested, Adeleye said he also escaped after the operation, adding that it was somebody who recognized him that sold him out. But when policemen arrested his younger brother, he went to the police station purposely to effect his.
“my father was the owner of the guns. My father is dead, we were four that went for the robbery operation. My gang robbed only once. We went to rob a Toyota Yaris at Sango. Police arrested my younger brother.
I went to effect his bail and was arrested. Police killed two of my gang members during the operation. Only one of us managed to escape. My mother will feel very bad now. Oh! I’m regretting,” Adeleye lamented.
By NWANNE OKOYE
Daily Sun 26th November 2009
Page 28
