5 Nigerians arrested for stealing N225m from Bureau de Change in Dubai

The five-man robbery gang reportedly robbed the Bureau De Change of cash of different currency worth Dh2.3 million (N225.4million), just two days after two of them arrived on a visiting visa.

According to Sharjah police officer, Major General Saif Ziri Al Shamsi, “Four of the suspects entered the exchange house on Sunday, March 31, 2019, and attacked its employees, while the fifth was waiting for them in a car outside.

“The suspects also threatened the employees with sharp weapons before taking away cash. The whole operation lasted seven minutes.”

The police officer also said by the time they were informed about the incident, the suspects had escaped. Al Shamsi added that the employees of the Bureau de Change failed to activate the alarm to alert the police on time.

He said the alarm went off four minutes after the robbers had left the scene, however, according to him, the police managed to catch up with them through surveillance camera footage.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa describes the action of the five Nigerians as shameful. (Punch) Pulse Nigeria

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reacted to the arrest of the five Nigerians.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa condemned the action of the Nigerians.

Dabiri in a statement described the action of the suspects as despicable and shameful saying it is not in accordance with the good character of Nigerians.

She said, "These five boys are a disgrace to this country and an embarrassment. So if UAE decides to be hard on Nigerians, then we will complain that they are hard on us.

"But we will continue to say that one bad apple should not spoil the whole bunch. Nigerians are hardworking, intelligent so these few should not spoil the whole bunch because this has made news all over the UAE now.

"We are going to continue to name those who disgrace the country anywhere in the world, and we will continue to appeal to Nigerians to be good ambassadors wherever they find themselves."

The five suspects who were said to be on visitors visas to Dubai include Chimuanya Ozoh, Benjamin Ajah, Kingsley Ngoka, Tochukwu Alisi, and Chile Ndunagu.

The robbery case of the five Nigerians has been referred to the public prosecution office for further action.