Day robbers stormed church service

The suspected robbers

By Evelyn Usman

The robbers numbering about eight, as gathered, stormed the church at about 1am, during a vigil on July 18, 2010. They reportedly positioned themselves strategically, pretending to be worshipers, with two of them at the entrance of the church apparently to alert their colleagues of any counter attack.
Crime Alert gathered that while the service was at its peak, the robbers announced their presence, wielding their weapons which included guns and other dangerous weapons. At that point, the fear- stricken worshipers exclaimed Jesus!, shocked at the height of defilement of the house of God.

Undaunted, the robbers, reportedly took their time in dispossessing the worshipers of their belongings which included cash and phones, with a warning for them to cooperate or have a feel of their negative side. They thereafter, fired a warning shot outside the church before leaving the vicinity.

Luck, however, ran against them as two suspected members of the gang were later arrested in their hideout while sharing the loot. A total of N80,000, according to Ogun State Police Command spokesman, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was collected from the worshipers.

Explaining how they were arrested, Adejobi stated: “The Pastor in-charge of the church, Peter Lawal rushed down to Owode Egba division to report the incident. He said the robbers were so desperate to the extent that they had no respect for God, since they could enter the church to carry out such devilish act.

Immediately the matter was reported, Anti-crime patrol team attached to Owode -Egba placed a man- hunt on the robbers and two of them were later arrested by 8am at Obafemi town where they were taking cover in the bush after an unrelenting combing of the bush”.

Items including cash sum of N12,175  being part of the stolen money, according to Adejobi, were recovered from the robbers whom he said are presently cooling their feet at the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Elewe Eran, Abeokuta for further discreet investigation.

The suspect, he added, would appear in court soon.