Operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested one Osuji Chibuzor, 42, the leader of a four-man fraud syndicate operating in Ikeja, Ojota, Ojodu, Berger, Ogba, College Road and Agege axis after his group had swindled a 34-year-old lady of the sum of N165,000.
The suspect, whose role in the gang was to prophesy to victims after being lured into one of their offices at 8, Afolabi Street, Iju Shaga and 7, Salami Street, Oko Oba, Agege, using fake dollars and the promise of great wealth to entrap such victim.
Osuji explained that his gang members - Frank, Stella and Emeka who are still at large - embark on daily trips to lure suspects, whom they would have tricked into their dollar making scam, adding that thereafter he is invited as a pastor to pray for the victim.
He revealed that in the process of praying for the victim, he would start requesting money for anointing oil, chemicals for the washing of the money and other charges.
The suspect, who claimed that he joined the fraud gang three years ago due to frustration, stated that “Although there are many gangs that operate in the axis my gang has only four members. We operate in Agege, Ogba, College Road, Ojodu Berger, Ojota, Ikeja, Alausa and Ifako-Ijaiye. I collected N120,000 from the victim while my colleagues also withdrew N45,000 from her ATM”.
The 34-year old victim who did not want her name in print noted that she boarded a private taxi in Ojota to Ojodu Berger, saying “We were still in Oregun when the driver picked another passenger. It was at this point that they started their trick”.
“I ended up in their office in Iju, where they collected all the money on me including the one in my account. They made me swear to an oath never to inform anyone. Thereafter, Osuji requested that I should go raise another N60,000 to complete the ritual”, she stated.
She narrated further that “After collecting N165,000 they still would not let me rest. I borrowed N60,000 being the balance of what they needed. I was on the way to hand it over to them when I regained my consciousness. Luckily for me, with the assistance of a patrol team of RRS men, I was able to lure him out of their office before getting him arrested”.
Reacting to the arrest, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu directed his men to continue to comb every part of the State especially the black spot areas along the axis for the arrest of other gang members as soon as possible.
