Indian Hemp Made Me Leave Church To Steal Cars - Confessions Of A Lagos Criminal

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The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of Zone 2 of the Nigeria Police Force based at Onikan, Lagos, has arrested an armed robbery gang. A member of the gang confessed to the police that becoming an Indian hemp (Cannabis Sativa) smoker led him into violent crime.

32-year old Chukwuemeka says he was introduced into armed robbery after he joined Indian hemp smokers in Ajegunle. The suspect and three other members of his gang were arrested on July 23 at the popular surburb, while on their way for an operation to snatch a Toyota car when luck ran out on them.

Chukwuemeka confesses...

"I regret joining Indian hemp smokers. I am a commercial bus driver, but every evening after work, I go to Bola area of Ajegunle to smoke hemp.

I met our gang leader, simply identified as Ogaga at the smoking joint. We exchanged telephone numbers. And one Sunday, he called me to meet him at Bola that there was a business. I left church after Sunday service to meet Ogaga. While at the place, he told me that there is one Alhaji that we will work for and get paid  When I heard the title Alhaji, I thought he was a politician.

Few minutes later, one man came and introduced himself as Alhaji. He told us that he needs clean stolen cars to buy and promised to go with us in the operation. Our job is to snatch the car at gun point and escape; and I agreed. I regretted coming from the church to where they were planning to go and rob, yet, I agreed to the operation. It is the devil that pushed me."

Another member of the gang, 29-year old Ogaga, who claimed to be a welder, said; "I live at No. 45, Ojo Road, Ajegunle. I was in Ikoyi prison between 2009 and 2010 for alleged robbery. I was awaiting trial before I was granted bail. I was introduced to robbery by one inmate in the prison called Godswill, a.k.a. Commando to one Alhaji Onile. It was after my bail that we decided to rob cars for Alhaji. We have two locally made pistols and cartridges brought by other members of the gang. I also introduced other members to Alhaji".

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