By Joy Anyim
A 300-level student of Psychology at the University of Lagos, Francis Obi, has been arrested for allegedly killing an Italian-based Nigerian businessman, at the Ajangbadi area, of Lagos.
Obi, a suspected member of the Vikings Confraternity, was arrested alongside Semiu Ibrahim after they had shot the deceased, Oboile Efenkade, at his residence.
Reports has it that the 30-year-old Efenkade was to travel back to Italy the day after he was attacked.
It was learnt that the four-man gang stormed the Ajangbadi area at about 2:40 pm on March 19, went straight to their target’s house to attack him.
Efenkade’s gateman was shot on the head for refusing the gang entry into the house, while the deceased was shot on the chest.
The gang fled the scene but were arrested after weeks of painstaking investigation by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
While parading the suspects at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, said the suspects had travelled all the way from Imo State to strike.
Muazu said: “On March 19, 2019 at about 2:40 pm, police officers attached to Special Anti-robbery Squad, Igando Base, arrested Francis Obi and Semiu Abiodun, both residents of Imo State.
READ ALSO: Tale of one Cameroonian and a Sudanese
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to have killed the 30-year-old Efenkade, in an attempt to rob. They said they came from Imo State to operate in Lagos.”
Recovered from the suspects were three Baretta pistols with five live ammunition and three expended ammunition.
Speaking on how he joined the gang, Obi said he never knew his friends were taking him for a robbery operation.
He said: “Three of my friends called me to accompany them to a friend’s house, who owed them at Ajangbadi. I followed them to draw the debt. It was when we got there and they brought out a gun that was when I knew they had another motive. I could not run, but stay with them.”
Asked if he was a cultist, Obi said, “I used to be a cultist; former member of Vikings.”
On his part, the 24-year-old Ibrahim also denied knowledge of the criminal act. “I am a commercial motorcyclist. The guys just told me to carry them to the place and I did not know they were going to rob or kill someone.”
Asked who owned the guns that were recovered from them, both suspects claimed it was given to them by their friends, who are on the run.
