Yvonne Ekwere Speaks About Her Stolen Car

 

In case you dont know her toyota brand car was stolen from where it was parked at Oriental Hotel Lekki Lagos. Well here's what she had to say about it.

“On Saturday, the 28th of July 2012, at about 6:46pm, I drove into the new car park under construction at the Oriental Hotel, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The ‘Security’ guard stationed at the gate; as usual did not take my plate number, issue me a parking ticket or try to identify the driver of the car, as normally done with other guests who drive into that particular car park."

I had been invited to cover two events; the ‘YNaija Hashtag’ party and senator Ita Giwa’s daughter’s dinner party. Continue to read more at the cut...

After I had finished work at both events at around 11:15pm, I noticed that my car was not at the spot I had parked it on. I, and the hotel security men combed the entire car park several times to be sure I did not forget where I had parked and still did not find my car.

However, an empty carton which I had used to identify my parking space was at the same spot I parked, but surprisingly, the car wasn’t.

I ordered the security men (who were rather dismissive and un-professional) to take me to their head security officer and security control room to watch footage of the recordings in the car park. The Chinese men, whose names I can’t recall, seemed un-sure, confused and spoke in their native tongue amongst themselves while checking for footage; still they were not able to give me tangible results on camera. I never saw footage of when I drove in or how and who drove the car out; instead I was shown footage of what was happening in LIVE time.

My suspicion is that it is the cameras at the car park are dummies; they do not work, they were not recording at that particular time or the camera was switched off when the theft took place.

The hotel management did not bother to take my name, personal contacts, apologize or try to sort out the situation; instead they all backed out, one after the other, giving flimsy excuses.

I once again asked to see the head of security or a proper management staff and we were told that the situation was being sorted out and I would not see anyone until it was sorted.

I was asked by an acquaintance to call the CP of Lagos who asked me to report the issue to the nearest police station (which was Maroko Police station). I did and I’m yet to get feedback from the police.

Till now, none of the management staff from Oriental has tried to reach me and I hear this is not the first case of car theft in the hotel.

This is not in any way acceptable, as a hotel of such magnitude should be seen to keep guests and their personal property safe.

The car park, which has the company’s security men and police officers assigned to the different floors of the parking lot should be one of the safest places, if not THE safest place for guest’s parked cars.

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Suspected female robber caught trying to Steal Car at Ogun state Governor's office

 

A  female suspected robber  identified as Ikechukwu Abigael yesterday caused a stir at Ogun state governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta when she  attempted to steal a  car parked within the vicinity.

Luck however ran against the middle-aged woman when men of the  Nigerian Security and Civil Deference Corp (NSCDC), Ogun state command burst the alleged robbery operation.

Ikechukwu,32, was reported to have  attempted  to steal money from the  car which was parked at the governor’s office before she was apprehended.

The robbery suspect  was said to have used a master key to open the door of the Mazda 626 car with registration number; (Lagos) CV 243 MUS belonging to Alhaji Imran Oke.

According to an eye witness who pleaded anonymity,  the robbery  suspect  had stolen  a  sum of N98, 000 from the car parked at the portion of the governor’s office which housed the NSCDC and the State Universal Basic Education at around 12:00 pm.

Confirming the incident, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Kareem Olanrewaju,  who confirmed the arrest claimed that  the suspect  trailed her victim, Oke from the Zenith Bank in Oke Ilewo where he had gone for a banking transaction and made withdrawal of the money.

Olanrewaju further explained that temporary  investigation carried out on  Abigael revealed that she came to operate inAbeokuta from Egan- Igando in Lagos state.

He said the arrest was made possible due to the eagle eyes of the officers on duty who had earlier thought that Ikechukwu was the owner of the car owing to the easiness at which she opened the doors of the car.

The NSCDC image maker also said that items found on the robbery suspect included: two Nokia phones, a wallet containing the sum of N3, 610, one wrist watch as well as a waist belt.

Olanrewaju however, stressed that the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation, expressing hope that she would be charged to court at the appropriate time.

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Three siblings, six others arrested for car theft

 

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended nine men suspected to be part of a syndicate that specialises in stealing vehicles. PUNCH Metro learnt that among the suspects include three brothers; Jeremiah Angbeye, Augustine Angbeye and Saviour Angbeye. While briefing journalists at the command headquarters, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the gang stole five exotic cars from a car shop in Ajah, Lagos and took them to Akwa Ibom State. They were however caught before they could dispose of the vehicles. Braide said the robbery was successful because of the alleged collaboration of two of the officials of the car shop.

 

She said, “On May 20, 2012, around 7am, a distress call was put through to Area J Command by Mr. Felix Vwamhi, that Kunech Group of Companies, a car shop, was vandalised and the culprits broke into the office of the Managing Director and stole the keys of two Toyota Fortuner Sports Utility Vehicles 2012 model, two Toyota Camry 2011 model and one Toyota Corolla 2011 model. All the vehicles were brand new and they were driven away and the MD discovered that the security guard had absconded.

 

“The area commander immediately commenced investigations and later transferred the case to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. As investigations continued, it was discovered that Jeremiah and his brothers were at Ibadan, living in the house of one Sunday Odeh, a suspect in the case as well. “During interrogation, they disclosed the location of one Patrick Akpan in Akwa Ibom State. Akpan was the one that recruited the remaining suspects and was also the one who was supposed to sell the vehicle and give the three brothers N10m.”

Braide said another suspect, Ugochukwu Justin, a relative of the owner of the company and also a logistics officer at the company, was an alleged co-conspirator.

 

“Ugochukwu also participated actively in the robbery but when he was arrested, we discovered that he had chronic ulcer and we had to quickly rush him to hospital. He is presently responding to treatment and will soon be discharged,” she said. Jerry, the 29-year-old security guard, who allegedly invited the robbers admitted that he committed the crime. Justin said the policeman, who was hired to secure the company at night locked himself in a room and was sleeping when the gang members stole the vehicles.

 

“I was the person who opened the gate for the other suspects to come in around 5am on that Saturday. The policeman was fast asleep. So, he did not know when the five vehicles were removed,” he said.

He said he promised to pay the gang N10m if the vehicles were successfully delivered to him in Akwa-Ibom State. On his part, the company’s Group General Manager, Mr. Bidani Deepak, commended the Police for their efforts.

 

He said if policemen were provided with the needed logistics, they would perform better.

Braide said other suspects – Lawrence Ebibitado and Chuks Osuagwu – would also be charged along with the others. “The police left no stone unturned as all those involved in the crime, including Lawrence Ebibitado and Chuks Osuagwu, were arrested and will soon be charged to court,” she said.

 

via Punch

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