Thursday, April 1, 2010
Man poses as assassin, demands N2m from businessman

Olalekan Adetayo


A 20-year-old apprentice, Promise Bassey, is currently in trouble over his desire to make quick money.





http://odili.net/news/source/2010/apr/1/821.html

Bassey, a school dropout, reportedly wrote a letter to a businessman identified simply as Stanley, claiming that he had been paid N5m to assassinate him (Stanley).

In the letter, which he dropped with the security guard at the businessman's residence at 6th Avenue, Festac Town, the suspect assured the businessman that he would spare his life if he could part with N3m.

He provided his target with a telephone number through which he said he could be reached.

While parading the suspect on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Mr. Frank Mba, said that the businessman reported the case at Festac Police Station.

The Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Usman Ndaobaba, reportedly called the suspect on the telephone and negotiated with him until he agreed to accept N200, 000.

They agreed that the money would be dropped at Mosalasi Bus Stop in Maza Maza, where the suspect would pick it.

Mba said, "Immediately the money was dropped, the DPO called the suspect again while detectives lurked around the area. Shortly after, Bassey arrived the scene and picked the money. It was at that point that policemen swooped on him."

Bassey told journalists that he initiated the deal to raise money because things had been difficult for him since his mother died recently.

The police spokesman said that the suspect would soon be charged with attempted kidnap, threat to life and blackmail.

Meanwhile, Mba said on Wednesday that the command would beef off security at fun spots in the metropolis ahead of the Easter celebration.

He said that the command had already deployed Armoured Personnel Carriers in all the area commands in the state in order to ward off criminals.

He said that apart from foot and motorised patrols, the command would also embark on aerial surveillance.

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