The Imo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday announced the arrest of a 39-year-old suspect, Promise Livinus, who allegedly stole a car under false pretences and went into hiding for two years.
The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Raji Ibrahim, who paraded the suspect at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, said Livinus collected a car belonging to a Nigerian Air Force officer (name withheld) from one Anthony Ubah under the pretence of assisting him to sell the car since August, 2016.
He stated that shortly after collecting the vehicle, the suspect went into a hideout and could not be traced until he ran out of luck.
“The suspect escaped without trace until September 2018 when he was arrested by the Intelligence Department of the command,” Ibrahim added.
While noting that the suspect had confessed to the crime during interrogation, Ibrahim said other victims had also shown up and testified that the suspect defrauded them as well.
Ibrahim, however, noted that the issues were still under investigation, adding that the corps was billed to reduce crime and criminality to their lowest levels in the state.
“We shall live up to the standard expected of us by the Federal Government for which the corps was established,” he added.
When questioned by Southern City News, the suspect confessed to the crime, adding that he did it to enrich himself.
Livinus stated, “I collected the car from the owner by pretending to sell it for him as agreed, but I sold it and took the money away. I had to change my SIM card so that I could not be traced. I met my waterloo a year after, when I was seen and apprehended by the officers and men of the corps.
“Engaging in evil, bad and criminal activities is not good. This is because one day, you will be arrested.”
