Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested a domestic worker, Blessing and her husband, Bassey, for stealing $51,000 belonging to her employers.
Blessing had worked only for three days before she stole her employer’s money and fled to Cross Rivers State, where she was arrested.
The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, after a complaint was made to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone.
The image maker in charge of the zone, SP Awal Ayuba confirmed the arrest of the duo in a statement signed by her on Friday.
The Zone 2 police spokesperson said, “On January 31st, 2024, detectives from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, arrested Blessing ‘f’ and her spouse, Bassey ‘m’ for stealing fifty-one thousand United States dollars ($51,000 USD) from her employer’s residence in the Lekki area of Lagos.”
She added that “Blessing was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony ‘m’ and began working as a domestic staff on December 23rd, 2023. Only three days into her employment, she absconded with $51,000 USD and fled with her husband to Cross River State.”
According to the police image maker, “Following intensive investigation, both suspects were apprehended on January 31st, 2024.”
“During the investigation, it was revealed that Blessing had approached Anthony under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity. She failed to complete her employment application form, indicating her fraudulent intentions.”
She also stated that “despite initially denying the full extent of stealing, Blessing eventually confessed to stealing thirty thousand United States dollars ($30,000 USD), admitting to giving twenty thousand United States dollars ($20,000 USD) to her husband, Bassey.”
“Bassey, in turn, confessed to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchasing a Tipper Truck, Two Motorcycles, and completing a construction project in Cross-River State.” the police stated
Both suspects have been charged and brought before the court following the completion of the investigation, under the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command. AIG Olatoye Durosinmi.
AIG Durosinmi asked members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff for their safety and to prevent falling victim to criminal elements
