The failed attempt by a Police Corporal to break into Edo State Government House account department’s vault raises fresh concern about the security situation in Osadebey Avenue, the seat of power. Patrick Ochoga reveals how the police convoy driver was caught

Few days after the failed attempt by a police corporal simply identified simply as Ewere to break into the vault in the account section of the governor’s office, tongues have continue to wag over the incident as others discussed the matter in hush tones had left government house staffs, security operatives and visitors alike in utter shock and surprise as it is believed to be least expected place for such an incident to happened.

The incident of last weekend while posing as a serious challenge to security personnel posted to guard the seat of power, no doubt, also exposes some of the security lapses within and around government house.

The events of aside the fact that it further diminished the image of the men of the Nigerian Police also brings to the spotlight the character of persons recruited into the force into serious scrutiny.

Even more shocking was the fact that the culprit, Corporal Ewere, saddled with the responsibility of providing security services to the governor’s convoy, choose the path of shame by disregarding his constitutional duties and responsibility. This gives credence to the popular adage that, “man’s common enemy lives within”

LEADERSHIP Weekend learnt that the police suspect had been arranged before a court in Benin and later remanded at Oko minimum prison pending the proper hearing of the case.

Osadebey Avenue, the seat of power in Edo State is tucked in the heart of Government Reservation of Area, G.R.A, in Benin and share parts of it perimeter fence with the 4th Brigade Nigerian Army and few metres away from the Department of State Security Service, DSS and Police Command headquarters respectively.

Civilian drivers in the convoy of the governor were initially fingered in the attempted vault break before the real suspects; Corporal Ewere was later apprehended barely 24 hours of the incident.

The end of the road for Corporal Ewere was said to have started on the night of Friday 25th of September 2015 when a police officer, attached to the signal unit of Government House in the same building housing the account department heard a strange noise coming out from the down floor at about 1am.

The Police officer became more curious as the noise from the welding machine Corporal Ewere was using to pull down the window protector became louder. The Police officer on duty was said to have demanded to know who was there? The suspect was said to had beckoned on him to come down, an invitation, he declined and immediately ran into the radio room where he alerted all the security units over the incident as they swung into action.

Ewere, who noticed that he had being sighted was said to have taken to his heels and scaled a perimeter fence where he escaped leaving behind hand gloves and some of the equipment he had used.

The suspect according to source was among policemen who were in the escort when the large sum was deposited in the account department last Wednesday. The money, it was gathered was probably meant to upset some expenses towards last week’s Sallah’s celebration.



Suspect’s Arrest

Security operatives in Government House where said to have immediately summoned all the government house drivers for interrogation. Ewere was also invited where he was interrogated and identified by the eagle-eyed police man on duty. He was said to have sustained injury on his elbow in an attempt to scale the barb wire perimeter fence.

Investigation revealed that Corporal Ewere was said to have driven one of the Hilux trucks attached to the governors convoy to his house in the day time and secretly moved some hardware into it including welding machines, sledge hammer, hand gloves and other equipment he intended to use to break into the vault before nemesis caught up with him.

Investigation indicated that a phone call to the wife of the suspect who was said to have gone for a prayer vigil in a church confirmed to police investigators that her husband was not at home on the night of the incident. He (Ewere) was reported to have told his wife that he was on night duty.

A police officer attached to Government House who do not want his name in print said this is the second time such attempt would be made to break into the account department. He described as shameful the act by their colleague by dragging the name of the force into the mud.

“It is important to question some of our colleagues especially the ones in government house where they are getting money to buy cars.

Imagine a Corporal buying a brand new car and the question then is, where is he getting the money from? It is a shame that this kind of character find their way into the police force. We still have men who are honest and contended with what they have, after all, it is the same police that arrested him. It is just unfortunate.”

The Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike and the AIG zone 5 were said to have visited the scene of the incident.

The incident has left a sour taste among police personnel in the government house as it would continue to be a reference point in the security circle for a long time to come.

Source: www.leadership.ng/news/464895/drama-as-police-corporal-turn-govt-house-thief

If you have no source it won't make fp.

Ttoo.

Too bad

A Nigerian policeman is he who wears uniform during the day to intimidate its fellow citizens but salute foreigners and at night robs them both.

Timi, I sent your boss an sms.. Tell me thank you

Thank u dearie, u are not only blessed, but u are a generational blessing in the order of solomon. Gracia.Obrigado, merci.