Operatives of the Federal Anti-robbery Squad (FEDSARS) have arrested three members of a suspected four-man robbery gang which specialises in hijacking and diverting trucks transporting goods within Lagos and Ogun states.
The suspects, identified as Pastor Peter Iyasele, a.k.a Major, Anthony Ibiade, and Amas Debar, were arrested after FEDSARS’ operatives received a tip-off that a group of robbers had hijacked a 25-foot container bearing 25 units of heavy duty outdoor split air conditioners worth over N25 million, as one Oliver, surname unknown, is still at large.
It was gathered that the arrest of Amas Debar at Ijora led to the arrest of Anthony Ibiade and Peter Iyesele, after they had successfully hijacked the goods and transported it to their warehouse in Ibadan.
Their arrest led to the recovery of 22 units of the airconditioners, while one had been damaged.
Two of the airconditioners were, however, not recovered.
It was gathered that while Peter worked as a transporter, the other members of the gang are professional hijackers whose stock in trade was diversion of goods.
One of the suspects recounted his exploits: “My name is Peter Iyesele, 56-year-old, I am married and I have four children. I am a pastor and I have a church along Badagry expressway.
“I was arrested at Igando bus-stop for participating in hijacking and diversion of goods worth over N25 million. I have been engaging in these operations for years but after a while I stopped and invested proceeds from the operations in transportation.
“For about nine years, I didn’t participate in any of these operations because I had made enough from the operations until I received a call from God to serve him. I was doing well in my transportation business before I was duped by a woman.
“The reason I went back into robbing was to get money to expand the church of God where I pastor. If I had succeeded, I would have used the proceeds to build a house for God.”
SHIPS & PORTS DAILY gathered that while the police was still making efforts to arrest Oliver, the other suspects have been charged to court.
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