"I Joined Armed Robbery To Source For Funds To Sustain My Church.”

oge okonkwo

October 6, 2014 7:48 AM

In his statement, the arrested clergyman said he heard a call from God, but there was no money to pursue it. Hence, he had to source for funds to be able “to survive in the ministry”.

A 56-year-old pastor, Peter Iyasele, has been arrested by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, for allegedly hijacking a truck with N25m worth of goods in the Ijora area of Lagos.

Two other suspects, Anthony Ibiade and Amas Debar were also arrested in connection with the robbery.

Punch reports that the hijacked truck contained 25 heavy duty outdoor air-conditioners, which according to the police is valued at about N25M. The goods belongs to a company based in Apapa area of Lagos.

It was gathered that the suspects were arrested after information got to DCP Chris Ejike. He subsequently directed his men to trail the suspects who were on the move to sell the products.

According to the Punch, the truck, which was initially heading for Ikeja, was hijacked by the suspects, the air-conditioners were taken to a warehouse in Ibadan, Oyo State.

However, after the police swooped on the suspects, 22 units of the products were recovered, while one had been vandalised. The remaining two were said to have been sold.

Reports say that two members of the syndicate Oliver and another whose name had yet to be known were still at large and were believed to have sold the two air conditioners.

The police said the suspects were experts in hijacking and diverting trucks containing electronic appliances and other household items.

Confessing to the police, Pastor Iyasele said he was working as a transporter before he took to hijacking trucks. He added that the new job was to

In his statement, the arrested clergyman said he heard a call from God, but there was no money to pursue it. Hence, he had to source for funds to be able

Reports revealed that 38-year-old Debar and Ibiade, 53, were the first to be arrested by the police before they led detectives to the pastor.

Iyasele’s church is situated along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Ibiade, in his own statement, confessed to the police that he was the one who arranged for the driver who took the hijacked truck from Lagos to the warehouse in Ibadan.

A source at the Federal SARS said the suspects, who were apprehended on Wednesday, September 10, had been charged to court.

oge okonkwo