NITEL manager, 16 others arrested for stealing N50m cables in Lagos

Men of the Nigerian Police force have arrested a Nigeria Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, Manager and 16 others for allegedly stealing NITEL cables worth N50 million from its warehouse in Victoria Island, Lagos.

DailyPost gathered that the suspects were apprehended at about 12:30 a.m. on Sunday at NITEL Warehouse, Saka Tinubu, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to a source at the Victoria Island Police station who pleaded anonymity, they had been on surveillance since they got information about the development. “We have been on surveillance for about two months

“The ring leader, one Safui, had promised one of the police officers in the station N2 million, so as to assist them to steal the cables.”

“They (suspects) came in with a disguised truck, with NITEL stickers, so as to suggest that they were NITEL staff. They were about driving out when our men swooped on them.

“A NITEL Warehouse Manager, one other NITEL staff and 15 others, were arrested on the spot. The truck and the cables are currently kept at the police station,” the source said.

The police source said that the suspects attempted to bribe the police officers with N700, 000 after their arrest.

“The suspected ring -leader also threatened to use his influence to post the officers from the station to other areas if they did not co-operate with him,’’ the source added.

He however assured that the suspects would be prosecuted after the police complete their investigation.