13 & 15-Year-Old Boys Caught During Robbery Tell How They Were Trained

Two teenagers gave a startling revelation of how they had been sneaking into Navy Town barracks in Lagos, burgled apartments of military personnel and carted away valuables estimated over N400,000.

The suspects, Elijah Benjamin(15) and Ehis Akhimien(13) whose frail looks would never give them away as buglers, told bewildered journalists at the Nigerian Navy ship, NNS WEY, shortly before they were handed over to policemen by the Commander, NNS WEY, Commodore Ignatius Iliya, that they usually scaled the fence of the barracks through a bill board close to the wall.

They, however, stated that they were mere errand boys, disclosing that their ‘masters’ usually waited for them at the other side of the fence each time they went on operation.

Luck, however, ran out on them during one of the attempts, following their apprehension by a patrol team of naval personnel attached to NNS WEY, at about 6pm last week.

Explaining how they were arrested, Iliya said the suspects usually came in the day time to access the vicinity, with a view to ascertaining some of the apartments which occupants had apparently travelled.

Commodore Ignatius Iliya said:

“Their confession led to the arrest of Afeez Lamidi and Abdusalam Garuba who they said recruited them to steal in the neighbourhood.”

Iliya said about N450,000 items were allegedly stolen from the barracks by the teenagers.

One of the teenagers, 13-year-old Ehis Akhiemien, a primary 6 pupil of Assurance Primary School, Kirikiri, said he started stealing four months ago. He stated that his alleged partner in crime, Elijah Benjamin, introduced him into burglary.

He said: “Elijah said we should go to people’s houses to steal. We would jump the fence into the barracks at about 6pm and would hide until it is dark. Elijah would tear the nets of our victims with blade, from where he stole the items. At times some of the kitchen doors were left opened, thereby facilitating his entry. On my part, I would be on the look out for any intruder. At the end, we would take the stolen items to our boss who would be waiting for us at the other side of the fence.”

Asked if his parents were aware of what he was into, he shook his head, explaining that he usually went for the operation any time he was given money to go and eat.

On his part, 15-year-old Elijah Benjamin stated that they were forced into robbery by Afeez Lamidi and Abdusalam Garuba.

He said: “We were taken to waterside in Kirikiri by brother Afeez and Abdusalam where we were briefed on how to go and steal. They threatened that if we did not go and steal they would beat us and even kill us. They also threatened to kill us if we told anyone. In one of the operations, we came with N50,000. We also got N12,000 and N7,000 in separate operations. At the end of each operation, they would give us N1,000 and pat us on the back for being good boys. We have also stolen motor bike and bicycle from the barracks as well as phones, televisions and DVDs.”

Asked how they were able to take the stolen motor bike and bicycle out of the barracks, he replied: “We usually told operatives at the gate that we were taking them for repairs. They would not suspect us because of our ages.”

At a point, Benjamin who said his father was a gateman, pleaded to be let off the hook, promising to turn a new leaf.

“My dream is to become an engineer. If I am allowed to go, I will go back to school and focus on my study,” he said.

However, on their parts, Afeez and Abdusalam who the suspects alleged recruited them, denied the allegation. But the buyer, Idris, admitted to have bought the stolen motorcycle from them for N5,000 and the bicycle at N3,000.

The suspects have been handed over to policemen attached to Kirikiri division for further investigation.

Source: Vanguard