A 24 year old man who was apprehended by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly stealing a black SAAB Saloon Car, with registration number, AAA 581 CG, belonging to his financier, has said that he will steal the car over and over again, if the opportunity arises because of his obsession with it.
The suspect, Richard Akinwale, was trailed from Iju road, Fagba area, for about five hours by the RRS officers before he was eventually nabbed along Wempco road in Agindigbin area of Lagos state.
A drop-out from Northern American University in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Akinwale gained entrance into the living room of his victim, Adelabu Tolani, through the ceiling to pick the car keys and carted away the vehicle along with other valuables.
At the RRS’s headquarters, the suspect, who owned up to the crime, said that he stole the car and other valuables of his financier deliberately to punish him for forgetting his birthday. He also disclosed that his victim, Mr. Adelabu has been the sole financier of his university education, adding that he picked him up when everybody rejected him.
“I was welcomed and accepted into the Adelabu’s home about five years ago. I became a member of the Adelabu family with the help of my friend who is a brother to Adelabu's wife. Living with him and his family was a privilege for me. He sponsored my educational career before I dropped out from the institution during my final year without informing the Adelabu's of my decision. His wife was also very supportive. But I deliberately committed the offence because they asked me to move out of their house”. Akinwale narrated.
It was gathered that Akinwale had stolen the same vehicle along with other personal effects of the Adelabus weeks before making another attempt but had pleaded for mercy from the car owner, pretending to have repented, a plea the owner accepted and secured his release at the Ogonbo Police division in Ajah area, where the case was initially reported.
“It is the second time I have stolen the car. The first time was on my birthday on July 8, 2016. I took the car far away from their sight. I wanted to part ways with them with the car to start a new life on my own. I think I deserve the car because I have been their labourer for too long, and they can’t just eject me out of that house like that. They must pay me back with that car”, the unrepentant suspect said.
The owner of the stolen vehicle, Tolani Adelabu said he regretted lending out helping hands to the suspect by accommodating him under his roof.
“In fact, I am regretting to have rendered help to him. I don’t know any of his relatives. It was my brother in - law who brought him from Church camp. Then, I noticed that he needed accommodation and financial support, I kindly offered him without asking him to bring any of his relatives to me. He used to be a very jovial and kind person before he left for his university education in Republic of Benin, but I discovered immediately he returned to the country that his lifestyle has suddenly changed for worse. When I noticed this, I talked to him as a father and advised him to be of good behaviour. While talking to him, he opened up that he was no longer interested in going back to the institution and that he dropped out already and till now, he didn't give any reason about why he dropped out”. Adelabu said.
“I sent him out because I don’t want him to corrupt good character of my children though they are grown-ups too. When he stole the car for the first time, I reported the case to the nearby police station in Ogonbo in Ajah area. The Policemen arrested him the second day and he was detained for some days. After much pleading from him, I had to beg the DPO to release him that it was a family affair. I thought he would have learnt his lesson. To my surprise, days later, he went back to my house to steal the car again. This time around, I went to RRS’ office to report him. We laid siege for him and apprehend him in Agidingbin.
"It is possible that he has gotten someone who is ready to buy my car; I can’t comprehend why he insisted on stealing the vehicle. On Monday, July 10, 2016, my wife called me that the car was not where it was parked in our compound, that she suspected that Akinwale had gained entrance to our living room, took the car key and absconded with it again despite the fact that we had changed all the keys to our apartment. I was shocked to know that, he went through the ceiling, after gaining entrance into the compound’’. Adelabu lamented.
Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relation Officers (PPRO), SP Dolapo Badmus said she is baffled by the suspects wickedness to a family that took him in without knowing any of his relations. She said people should be mindful of who they accommodate in their homes to avoid situations like this.
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