It was learnt that the suspect was using the cards to withdraw money from an ATM at Ogba branch of GTB when a security guard raised the alarm.
The Commissioner of Police for the state police command, Mr. Umar Manko, said as of the time of his arrest, the suspect had withdrawn N652, 000 from the ATM.
Manko said, “On July 26, 2012, around 8:30pm, there was a distress call that there was commotion at GTB, Ogba branch. On getting there, the suspect was seen with 19 ATM cards.
“He is an employee of Zenith Bank and we wondered what he was doing with the 19 cards. He was arrested and as of the time of his arrest, he had cashed N652, 000. The matter is under investigation.”
The suspect however denied stealing the ATM cards. He said whenever he lent people money, he would collect their ATM cards as collateral and return them after payment.
He said, “I usually loan people money and I’ve been doing it for over a year. Whenever I loan people money, I will collect their ATM cards and their Personal Identification Numbers. When they repay me, I return their cards to them.
“However, if they don’t pay me back in cash, I go to withdraw money from their accounts through the ATM.”
When quizzed on where he got the money which he lent people, he said he was into various kinds of businesses.
He also said he had friends in the banking sector who helped him with funds.
He said, “I am a very hard working person. I joined Zenith Bank as a driver over three years ago and in less than a year, I bought a tricycle which I leased to another driver that gives me returns on a regular basis.
“The following year, I bought two tricycles bringing the total number to three. I make N150,000 monthly from the tricycles and N60,000 from my salary. I also get credit facilities through my connections in the banking sector.
“On the day I was arrested, I went to withdraw money on Thursday night with some of the cards when a security guard raised the alarm. I did not steal those cards. I know the owners of the cards and I have their numbers on my phone.”
Meanwhile, the command has warned members of the public to be very careful when buying vehicles so as not to buy stolen ones.
The warning became imperative following the arrest of two mechanics who allegedly received six stolen vehicles and even sold some to members of the public.
Manko said buyers could sense stolen vehicles by their cheap prices.
It was learnt that on July 7, 2012, Sunday Okoduwa came with a report that his car was stolen on Victoria Island.
Policemen later traced the car to a workshop in Agidingbi and arrested a man identified simply as Abdusalam, who in turn claimed that he bought it from one Idowu Adegboyega.
It was learnt that when Adegboyega was arrested and could not give a satisfactory explanation, his house was searched and some documents were found which led to the recovery of six other vehicles.
A police source said, “When we searched the suspect’s house, some documents were recovered which led to the recovery of six other vehicles.
“All the vehicles were registered in the name of one Oti Olusekola Jacob, who is believed to belong to the gang of armed robbers in Lagos.”
In a related development, the police have arrested 12 armed robbery suspects.
Police authorities said the suspects belonged to a syndicate that specialised in snatching vehicles from the owners at gunpoint.
The police alleged that the suspects operated in Ikorodu where they robbed and also sold vehicles.
According to the police, Ahmed Abdullahi, Azeez Abiodun, Olusoga Taiwo, Wasiu Azeez and Dele Balogun are among the suspects arrested.
It was learnt that three of the suspects, Adebiyi Mafimisesin, Lekan Aibinuomo and Okalawon Akinpelu; were receivers of stolen vehicles, which were either Toyota or Honda products.
A police source said, “The case emanated from Ikorodu Police Station and was reported on June 20, 2012 by a complainant who was attacked and robbed of his Toyota Sienna Space bus.
“We swung into action and we discovered where they keep stolen vehicles and sell to buyers. We recovered six vehicles; Toyota Sienna, Toyota Corolla, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and two others.
“We also recovered single-barrelled locally-made shotguns and 24 live cartridges and one expended cartridge.”
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