The federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Lagos has arrested Pastor Peter Iyasele and two others for allegedly hijacking a truck with N25m worth of goods in the Ijora area of Lagos State.
While the two other suspects ─ Anthony Ibiade and Amas Debar ─ were arrested in Ijora, the 56-year-old pastor (pictured middle above) was arrested in the Igando area of Lagos.
It was gathered from police that the hijacked truck, which contained 25 heavy duty outdoor air-conditioners, belonging to a company based in Apapa, Lagos. The market value of the heavy duty air conditioners is about N25m.
According to Punch, Pastor Iyasele and the two other suspects were arrested after information got to DCP Chris Ejike. He immediately directed his men to trail the suspects who were on the move to sell the goods.
In his confession, Pastor Iyasele said he was working as a transporter before he took to hijacking trucks. He added that the new job was to “source for funds to sustain my church.”
After the truck, which was initially heading for Ikeja, was hijacked by the suspects, the air-conditioners were taken to a warehouse in Ibadan, Oyo State.
However, after the police swooped on the suspects, 22 units of the products were recovered, while one had been vandalised. Already, two have been sold.
It was gathered that two members of the syndicate ─ Oliver and another whose name had yet to be known ─ were still at large and were believed to have sold the two air conditioners.
The police said the suspects were experts in hijacking and diverting trucks containing electronic appliances and other household items.
Pastor Iyasele, an indigene of Edo State, said in his statement that he heard a call from God, but there was no money to pursue it. Hence, he had to source for funds to be able “to survive in the ministry”.
A source at SARS told Punch that the suspects, who were apprehended on Wednesday, September 10, had been charged to court.
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