SSS nabs car snatching syndicate in Edo

 Benin City  A native doctor, a medical laboratory science student of the University of Calabar,  and six others have been arrested by the Edo State Command of the State Security Service, SSS for snatching a Toyota Camry car, a Hyundai Jeep, kidnapping and extortion.

The suspects who were paraded before newsmen and the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the State Director of the SSS, Mr. Bello Bakori were arrested at different locations in Edo, Delta and Cross River states.

The native doctor from Oweh-logbo in Isoko North Local Government Area in Delta State, Ovie Thomas Omote Yanki narrated how he bought a new Toyota Camry for N140,000 from the other suspects.

According to him, "Henry called me on the 1st of March to  inform me they have a Hyundai Jeep to sell for N800, 000 and that the owner was from Abroad. I told people and my friend, Lucky Obi decided to buy it for N630, 000. On June, Henry called me again that they have another vehicle, a Toyota Camry and I gave them N140, 000."

He further disclosed how the police stopped him on his way from Ughelli and  discovered the documents of the car were forged and the colour of the car had been changed, but they allowed him to go, because he was a popular native doctor in the area.

The suspect who bought the Hyundai Jeep, Obi Lucky, a staff with Nigeria Agip Company, Kwale, said he was at work when the traditional doctor called him that somebody from abroad want to sell his car and that they priced it for N630,000.

"I had to sell my Lexus car for N400,000 and added N300,000 which I was saving to buy the car. If I  knew it was a stolen vehicle, I would not have bought it," Mr. Lucky who works in the mechanical department of Agip, lamented.

The mastermind of the car snatching syndicate, who simply identified himself as Ikechukwu disclosed how they snatched the Ash-coloured Toyota Camry at New Benin and got Steven Okafor, Kingsley Abava, a welder,  Solomon Samuel, a mechanic all involved to take the vehicle to Owhe-logbo where it was sold.

The 500-level student, Eniola Emmanuel, was alleged to be involved in Internet fraud and threat to life.

The Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole  commended the SSS for their consistent achievements in solving cases of crime  and assured of  governments commitment to the directorate to protect the lives and properties of the people in the state.

Earlier, the SSS Director, Bello Bakori thanked the state governor for the adequate moral support which he said has been a source of encouragement to the officers of the Command and he commended him for  his victory at the just-concluded election.