A 25-year-old company driver, Daniel Oguntade, alongside his accomplice, has been arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, in their attempt to divert the unnamed company’s vehicle from Lagos to Ogun State.According to reports, Oguntade was directed to pick up a client at the airport and thereafter, drop N150, 000 with other people.
On the contrary, Oguntade allegedly diverted the company’s vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, 2014 model, with number plates EKY 463 DM, alleging that he was hypnotized by a certain man whom he claimed was his pastor.
At about 8 pm when he had not returned, all efforts to reach him proved abortive as he reportedly ignored several calls to his phone.
Meanwhile, the visiting client was stranded at the airport.
However, the information reached Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, who reportedly directed the Commander, RRS, Olatunji Disu, to find out the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the driver and the company’s vehicle.
With the collaboration of policemen at the Sango Area Command, Ogun State, reports say the car was said to have been traced to Ifo in Sango, where the driver and a man, later discovered to be an electrician, were allegedly trying to disconnect the tracking device in the car.
The suspect, on apprehension, told Vanguard he had no intention of diverting the vehicle.
“My pastor talked me into doing it,” Oguntade said.
“I have been working for the company for three years without any soiled record. My salary is N60, 000.
“I suspect I was hypnotized by my pastor because while I was on the Third Mainland Bridge at 11.30a.m., heading for the airport, I received two calls; one from my dad, informing that my mother was sick and the other from my Pastor, ordering me to report immediately at the church located at Adiyan, Ogun State.
“As if propelled by forces beyond me, I proceeded to the church in the company’s vehicle.
“On arrival, my pastor told me to drop the hampers in the church, even when I told him that my boss directed me to give them to some clients.
“He reminded me that day was ‘Imoke’ day, a special service day and asked me to join the service.
“A church member, Oyetade Ade, accompanied me to the fuel station to fill the tank. But to my surprise, the car refused to start while at the fuel station. Time was 7.30p.m.
“When I called my pastor to inform him about the development, he said I should tell my boss that the vehicle had been snatched by robbers, including the hampers and cash. I could not pick my calls when my boss called and when I eventually picked it, I could not talk.
“I never knew the vehicle had a tracking device. I thought it had an electrical fault that was why I called an electrician to repair it. To my surprise, RRS men swooped on us,” Oguntade added.
Meanwhile, when the unidentified pastor was invited, he reportedly denied Oguntade’s allegations.
The suspects were on Sunday transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, for further investigation.
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