By Evelyn Usman

A SIX-man robbery gang    that specialized in breaking into jewellery shops and carting away goods in Warri, Delta state, recently, met their waterloo in the hands of eagle-eyed police detectives in the state. The robbery gang, according to police sources,  usually go for specialised  range  of jewellery which included gold-plated and sterling silver necklaces, studded  bracelets, earrings and rings and semi-precious stones, all designed to be layered for a luxe aesthetic. Thereafter, they would sell  them at give- away prices to ready buyers.

Insider’s involvement: Astonishingly, some of their buyers were discovered during investigation to be insiders who also sell jewellery in the area.    Following the spate of attacks on the shops,  jewellery dealers,  as gathered, resorted to keeping their goods at home . They reportedly brought them out  on demand.

Crime Alert gathered that the gang stormed  the popular Udu area in Warri, where they succeeded in breaking into  a jewellery shop and carted away some precious stones.  However, the next day, three of them were  reportedly at the verge of selling the stolen jewellers to a buyer ,who unknown to them was an operative of the Delta State Police Command Special Anti- Robbery Squad. Consequently, they were apprehended.

In this interview with Crime Alert, one of the suspects,  Victor Ogwu, claimed he was compelled to join the gang due to pressing financial need.

The 19- year-old suspect who hails from  Anambra state said;  “ I registered for a training programme in a Marine  Engineering school  at Gbesu market area in Warri.  But,  I could not continue with  the training because of money. The fee is N120,000.   I was in a bar drinking one evening, when one of my friends  came to  inform me that there was a job for us.   I thought it was just an ordinary stealing like, snatching of handbag or pick pocket because that is what we refer to as job.

“I followed him to Udu area later that night . But on reaching there , I met other members who came with guns. I was shocked because I have never robbed with a gun in my life. Besides, they did not  tell me that it was  a robbery operation in a jewellery shop. But it was too late  for me to go back. I had to join them because I needed money to pay the fees.  They assured me I would realise the money at the end of the operation. I was also told that with just one jewellery, I could get more than the  amount I needed. Unfortunately, we could not sell them before we were arrested.

Policemen at my residence

“I did not go with them to sell the stolen jewellery.  I was  at home, monitoring them on phone.  But I was shocked to see some men who later introduced themselves as policemen at my residence at Igbudu . Also,  Arthur and  Fejiro who lured me into this have fled.   I am left alone to suffer.  Ah! Had I known, I would have forfeited the school, because from all indications, I am on my way to prison and only God knows how long I will spend there,” he said remorsefully.

Other suspects arrested included;  Tony Okon (21) from Anang, Akwa Ibom and two siblings alleged to be receivers of the stolen jewelleries.

The suspects, according to the Police, were helping in their investigation with a view to arresting their fleeing members.