Twenty seven year-old James Imoha,an Ordinary national Diploma
holder from Auchi Polytechnic, Delta State, had nursed the ambition of
going back for his Higher National Diploma in same school. But his
ambition was being hampered by lack of funds. Determined to realise this
dream, he left his home town in Agenegbode, Etsako East Local
Government area of Edo State, for Lagos five months ago, in search of
greener pasture. But as you read this piece, James is being detained at
the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, over an alleged robbery
case.
James and eight suspected members of his gang allegedly stormed May and Baker
Pharmaceutical
company at Oba Akran, Ikeja two weeks ago and were at the verge of
loading a truck with cartoons of drugs when operatives of SARS swooped
on them.
*Abubakar, James Imoha
However,
in this interview with Crime Guard, James burst into tears, insisting
he was deceived by members of the gang into joining them. He further
disclosed that his desire to further his education and also feed for
that week made him join them that night.
Hear him: “ I swear, I
never knew they were going to rob that night. I was made to understand
that they were being hired to load a truck at the end of which they
would be paid. I was already sleeping that night in a friend’s house
when Innocent (one of the suspects) visited him. He informed me there
was a job and when I asked what kind of job , he said it was to load
some cartoons into a truck.
I became interested because it would
be an instant payment. I asked how much would be paid at the end and he
said N1000 or N2000 depending on the quantity one was able to load. I
complained that it was late (10pm), but Innocent said this is Lagos
where business was done anytime. Reluctantly, I got up and decided to
follow him, with the hope to earn some amount for that week. Quickly, I
calculated that it would buy me three square meals for one week because
I spend N100 per meal or less, particular when I have to drink
‘’garri’’ with groundnut or coconut.
Too late to turn back
“When
I got to the place with Innocent and Okogie, I noticed from the way
they were acting that the business was not genuine afterall. But I could
not back out because I could not locate my way back home. But innocent
assured me all was well and I went about loading the truck with the
cartoons of drugs. I also noticed from the way they were whispering to
each other that they could be stealing the drugs and I opted to retreat
at that point. But as I attempted to leave the company’s gate, there
was sporadic shootings and I concluded that was the end of my sojourn on
earth. I just laid flat on my tummy with my hands raised up, without
looking up. The next thing I knew was that I was arrested and brought
here.”
Are you sure I will leave this place alive? “, he asked
this writer in tears. Continuing,he said, “my desire to further my
studies brought me to Lagos. My intention was to lay my hands on any
genuine business and save for my HND. Had I known things would turn out
this way, I would have remained in the village until when God will
answer my prayer. As I speak, my relatives are not aware I have been
arrested. The news will kill my ailing mother. Sister, please just pray
for me”, he said , burying his face in both palms.
Robbers strategy
May
and Baker pharmaceutical is located in a complex which also housed five
other companies,with each having its own private guards. In order to
have free access in and out of the complex, the robbery suspects were
said to have injected sleeping tablets into some packs of fruit juice
which they gave to some of the guards who allegedly connived with
them. One of the guards, as gathered, resumed on the D-day with the
injected fruit juice, informing his colleagues that he was celebrating
his birthday. Delighted at the news, other unsuspecting guards joyfully
reached out for the drugged juice. While some reportedly drank, others,
as gathered, kept theirs with the hope of taking it the next morning
before going home.
Source: Vanguard
I have been busy. 
