Metro
Abuja driver abandons boss’ sick mum in hospital, flees with vehicle
When an Abuja businessman, Wilson Egun, employed a young man he met during a chance encounter last October as his personal driver, he never knew his act of kindness would become his undoing.
Egun met the suspect, Sunday Bidemi in the Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when he needed help with locating his destination.
Bidemi came in handy as he offered to guide Egun to the place he was looking for. The young man exhibited a mastery of the terrain that left an impression on the businessman.
As the two men discussed during the ride to Egun’s destination, he mentioned that he was indeed searching for a good driver who knows the city very well; an opportunity Bidemi seized to market himself as an experienced driver in need of employment.
Impressed by Bidemi’s willingness to help and his confidence in his driving skills, Egun decided to offer him the job without a formal interview or background checks. Both men simply had a handshake and gentleman’s agreement to seal their relationship as employer and employee.
Bidemi performed his duties excellently in the first few weeks after he was employed as he drove his principal whenever he was needed to do so. He played the good boy card and waited for Egun to let his guards down before striking; an opportunity he got barely about a mount in the job.
Having won his boss’ trust, Bidemi was in November last year asked to take Mrs. Monica Egun, his employer’s mother, to a hospital in Cite C Estate, near Airport Junction, Gwarimpa, for her doctor’s appointment since the businessman was indisposed on that day.
But Bidemi was alleged to have dropped the woman at the hospital and immediately fled with the grey Toyota Corolla 2016 model.
When Mr. Egun realised what had happened, he immediately reported the incident to the Maitama Police Division and the Anti-Car Theft Unit in Abuja.
The betrayal left Egun in disbelief. “I trusted him. He seemed genuine, and I never imagined he would steal from me,” he lamented.
Weeks passed, but there was no sign of Bidemi or the stolen vehicle. As hope was beginning to fade, officers of the FCT Police Command recorded a breakthrough.
On December 15, nearly a month after he stole the vehicle, Bidemi was arrested at a car wash in Masaka, Nasarawa State, where he was washing the vehicle.
It turned out the suspect was cruising with the car he stole from his benevolent employer. He was allegedly using the vehicle to lure women in Abuja, whom he described as “cheap to attract.”
According to Bidemi, who investigators discovered defrauded and stole from two other women at different times, all that was needed to attract women in the FCT was for a man to dress nicely inside a good car with a working air conditioner.
Before his arrest, Bidemi had taken the stolen Toyota Corolla on a trip to Jos, Plateau State, from where he was returning to Abuja. Along the way, he picked up a young woman, Didel Clara John, who had no idea she was about to become his next victim.
During their journey together, Bidemi managed to gain her trust. He asked her to fuel the car with N60,000, promising to reimburse her. In addition, he borrowed another N20,000, claiming his bank app was faulty and he would refund her later.
Didel, feeling assured by his neat appearance in the navy blue tracksuit he had on, thought he was a responsible individual. She had no reason to doubt his story, so she handed over the money. The two then travelled together to Saminaka and Kachia in Kaduna State, spending the night in a hotel. But Bidemi vanished at dawn, leaving Didel stranded and fleeing with her money.
In the course of investigation, detectives found that Bidemi stole the tracksuits he wore the day he defrauded Didel from a Nigerian Navy (NN) personnel, Mrs. Yina Mngusuur Stella, who saw him stranded and offered him a ride.
Near Abacha Barracks Bridge, where she had taken him for a programme, Bidemi stole her tracksuit, ATM card, National Identification Number (NIN) card, and Navy slip tag.
As investigators dug deeper, they discovered Bidemi’s pattern of manipulation. He used his well-maintained appearance, often dressing in a clean, confident manner, to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. He used stolen items to appear credible, gaining people’s trust before robbing them.
Confirming his arrest, the FCT Police Command said Bidemi would face charges for all his crimes.
Police Commissioner (CP) Olatunji Disu confirmed that the recovered vehicle had been returned to Egun.
“This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of hiring employees without proper vetting. Mr. Egun’s willingness to help someone he met by chance ultimately led to financial loss, emotional distress, and weeks of police involvement,” he noted.
Disu advised people to ensure they conduct background checks to verify the identity of anyone they intend to hire as domestic help or driver.
He said employers should request valid identification like a driver’s licence or national identity card or international passport, adding that they should request for references.
“Take time to assess their behaviour before giving them access to valuables. Install vehicle tracking devices because in cases of vehicle theft, tracking devices can help locate the stolen car quickly,” he said.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has taken direct charge of operations in Sapele following the shocking abduction of the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, assuring residents that efforts are in top gear to secure the victim’s safe and unharmed release.
In a swift and strategic response, the police boss conducted an on-the-spot operational assessment of key locations linked to the incident, demonstrating the Command’s urgency and commitment to cracking the case.
The visit saw the CP inspect Debro Fred Guest House, the scene where the abduction reportedly took place. The facility, believed to have been the last point of contact before the Chairman was whisked away by armed men, is now central to ongoing investigations.
He also proceeded to Ogorode Waterside, where a vehicle suspected to have been used by the kidnappers was earlier recovered. The discovery is expected to provide critical leads as security operatives intensify intelligence gathering and forensic analysis to track down the perpetrators.
Speaking during the visit, CP Oyeniyi reassured the public that the Command is leaving no stone unturned.
“We are working with credible intelligence and in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure that the victim is rescued safely. Every available resource has been deployed, and we are confident of positive results,” he said.
The Commissioner also paid a solemn visit to the family of the abducted Chairman, where he met with his wife, offering words of comfort and reassurance.
“The Command shares in your pain at this difficult time. I want to assure you that we are doing everything humanly possible to secure his safe return,” he stated.
In addition, the CP visited medical facilities where victims injured during the attack are receiving treatment, further demonstrating the Command’s concern for all those affected by the incident.
The abduction, which has sent shockwaves across Sapele and beyond, is believed to have been carried out by heavily armed assailants who struck with precision, raising renewed concerns over security in the riverine axis of Delta State. Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers operated swiftly, leaving behind chaos and injured victims in their wake.
CP Oyeniyi has, however, called for calm and cooperation from the public, stressing that community support remains a critical factor in the success of the ongoing operation.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information. Security is a collective responsibility, and together we can bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.
The Delta State Police Command reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to protect lives and property, assuring that decisive actions will continue until those behind the abduction are apprehended and the victim safely reunited with his family.
As investigations deepen, residents across Delta State remain hopeful that the intensified security response will yield swift results and restore confidence in the fight against violent crime.
Metro
Chief of Army Staff visits Borno to boost troops morale after death of Brigadier General, soldiers
The Chief of Army Staff, Maj-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has visited the north-east to boost troop morale following the killing of a Brigadier-General and soldiers in recent attacks.
Shaibu made the visit on Friday as part of an operational assessment of the security situation in the region.
He was received by Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni at the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu.
The army chief said the visit was aimed at encouraging troops and reviewing ongoing operations, while acknowledging recent attacks on military formations.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remains resolute in confronting security threats, stressing that the military is adjusting its strategies to address evolving challenges.
The COAS urged troops to remain aggressive in dealing with terrorists, stating that their efforts would honour fallen colleagues.
At the headquarters of Sector 2 Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Shaibu interacted with troops and charged them to sustain the fight against insurgency.
More than 2,000 residents of communities in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara state have fled their homes over fears of a reprisal attack by bandits.
The villagers reportedly abandoned their communities in the western part of the local government after security personnel vacated parts of the area.
“Some security personnel deployed to our villages vacated from their strategic points two days after neutralizing some bandits. Now we are afraid that the bandits may return,” one villager said.
Residents of Kunchin Kalgo and neighbouring villages were seen leaving with their belongings and moving towards the Tsafe local government headquarters.
Tsafe local government area chairman, Garba Panchase confirmed the development, atressing that the villagers relocated to the local government headquarters.
Panchase said the movement was triggered by rumours, adding that even though members of the civilian JTF vacated the area for redeployment, conventional security personnel remained on ground.
His words: “The people flew their communities as a result of rumours initiated by people that do not mean well for the government.”
Some villagers, however, alleged that security forces left as bandits regrouped for reprisal attacks, adding that it has heightened fear among residents.
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