Photo: It's easier to operate in Ghana than Nigeria-Robbery suspect confesses

Read Statement from the Rapid Response Squad

A robbery suspect and ex–convict, Wasami Dennis, 32, was arrested by operatives of the RRS in his hideout in Agbole Orile in Lagos. He confessed that it was easier for him to operate in Ghana than Nigeria because Ghanaian are not security conscious like Nigerians. This trans-border robbery suspect hails from Abraka town, Delta State. He was released almost a year ago from Kirikiri prison after he was convicted for a break-in-and-run robbery incidence in Festac, Lagos, Nigeria.

"I was just released from prison about a year ago. I was caught in possession of a stolen laptop from Ghana along with three machetes hidden inside the walls of the hideout," he narrated.

In his statement, he said "I was an expert at break-in-robbery, I operated in Ghana, along west Africa Coast. I breaking into people’s houses and making away with their properties and personal effects like mobile phones, laptops, jewelry and other personal effects.I used to bring the stolen items to Nigeria to sell. I have a ready market for them in Lome and Lagos." Wasami pointed out that he has repented from his old ways, emphasizing that he has turned new leaf shortly after he was released from the Kirikiri prison almost a year ago.

"Those two machetes found inside my apartment in Agbole Orile belonged to Area Boys operating in a garage near by. They kept them there for whenever there is crisis among them. These boys are called Spartacus. They are trouble makers. They are always at the junction. I don’t know anything about it and I never knew they were there.

"For now, I work in Lagos Island where I help connect people who want to buy children clothing to sellers. I earn commission from this and that is how I earn my livelihood," he said.

The suspect explained how he found his ways to Lagos, "I was in Sapele Technical College before I dropped out of the school. I came back to Lagos to learn music at art PEFTI and Sound Engineering at Life-Line Studio, Alade Estate, Allen in Ikeja. After this, my father opened a shop for me, where I was managing before things were a bit difficult for me.

Shortly after this, I decided to go into house breaking and stealing to survive, and I was into this for about six years. I have operated in more than five houses in Lagos here. All the houses are in Festac area because I know much about the area very well.

He continued: "My major operations were in Ghana because Ghanaian are not security conscious unlike Nigeria where security is tight. In Ghana, nobody would challenge you. All the items that I stole are from Ghana. I did sell some at Lome and some in Lagos.I have a large number of people that buy the stolen goods from me in Lagos.

He later opened can of worms on those he sold the stolen valuables to in Lagos. "Amongst those I sold the items to one were Qudus, I.K, Hapier, Stanley and Kelvin", he said. "If I have a large quantities of items I want to dispose, Qudus was always the right man for me to call. He would come to me, collect the items, sell them and return the money," he reiterated.

The suspect continued that. "...another accomplice simply identified as I.K, buys stolen items in large quantity too from me. He once had a shop in Church Street junction, Oshodi, but presently, he has relocated to China.".

Amongst the items that I have stolen before, the laptop found with me was the only one that remained with me because it has been a long time I went for operation. My last operation was in Festac. It was the one that led to my arrest and consequently my imprisonment at Kirikiri, Since I came back, I have never gone into breaking in and stealing," he explained.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Police have begun a man-hunt for the suspect's stolen goods buyers. The operatives are on the trail of at least three buyers mentioned by the suspects. The suspect is currently helping the Police with information that could lead to the arrest of his accomplices.