BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

LAGOS — An electrical parts dealer in Alaba International market, Chika Ndubusi, has been arrested by the Police for alleged involvement in vandalizsing and stealing telecommunication mast’s batteries and generators.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect was apprehended after police arrested one of his partners in crime simply identified as Emeka, who indicted the suspect during interrogation.

Chika was arrested at Zephas Hotel in Ajagbadi where we went to collect the money from Emeka whom he had earlier lent N4,000.

Chika Ndubusi, 30, told Vanguard that he was introduced to robbery by one Lewis, who is currently serving a jail term in Kirikiri prison.

According to him, “we travel to different parts of Nigeria like Kwara, Sagamu along Lagos-Ibadan expressway to carry out these operations.

“I have participated in three operations.  But at a point I discovered that the amount Lewis, the leader of the gang, was giving me after each operation was not good enough.

“From the amount I received from the operations, my friend and I decided to buy a tokunbo J5 bus, which we used to transport goods like garri to the north.

“From the first operation, I received N45,000, the second time they gave me N30,000. After the last operation in Kwara State, where we vandalised several masts, which we sold at Ikeja computer village, I eventually stopped after Lewis had problems.

Mode of operation

“Usually we operate at night. When we get to each location, we will hide in the bush to monitor the movement of security guard stationed at each mast site.  Once we discover the location of security, we then monitor him until he sleeps. Once he sleeps we tie him down before starting the operation.

“At other times we hit the guards with planks to make them unconscious before tying them up and then we use iron cutter to cut and dismantle the mast before taking the battery and generator.

“In each operation we take about 12 to 16 batteries and generators. We sell each of the battery at Computer village in Ikeja for N13, 000.

How I was arrested

“I lent one Emeka N4,000 sometime ago. I was at Alaba market selling when I received a call from Emeka who said I should come to Zephas Hotel at Ajangbadi and collect my money. When I got there, I met Emeka and some Police officers who arrested me.”

Vanguard gathered that investigation is on-going to apprehend other members of the gang.