‘I Considered Stealing In Churches As A Gentleman’s Way’ – Robbery Suspect
A
32-year-old bugler who allegedly has preference for churches around
Oko-Oba area of Lagos has been arrested by anti-robbery policemen
attached to Oko-Oba division.
The suspect identified as Sannu
Umaru was reportedly caught in the act inside one of the Pentecostal
churches in Oko-Oba at the weekend.
Umaru who claimed to be the
son of a retired army personnel, told policemen during interrogation
that he preferred stealing from churches because of the security lapses.
Preliminary
investigation revealed that Umaru was allegedly involved in some
robbery incidents in churches around the area. Before his arrest, he
allegedly bugled a church where he made away with some musical
instruments.
Police sources say, “on that fateful night, he scaled
the fence of the church and went to where the musical instruments were.
As he was about carrying the piano valued close to half a million
naira, one of the instruments fell down and attracted the night guards
who went for him.
“He jumped through the fence with one of the
instruments he stole. But he was apprehended by residents of the area
who were alerted by the the guards and was brought to the station. He
was found to have also burgled another church within the week.”
Umaru
who confessed in a statement blamed his indulgence on frustration,
saying: “I was tempted to steal because of the death of my father. After
his death, I went into scavenging but did not succeed. I chose to bugle
churches because it is easier than any other place.
“Aside this, I
do not need to be armed. I was scared of carrying arms and did not want
to spill blood. That is why I considered stealing in churches as a
gentleman’s way.
“What I do is, anytime I go there, I would search
the offering boxes. At times I would find money inside, while at other
times I would not.
“At Saint Barnabas Church, I did not find any money inside the offering box. So, I decided to steal their music instrument.”
Umaru has been charged to court, according to police sources