The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended Blessing Effiong, a househelp, for allegedly stealing $51,000 from her employer just three days after being employed in Lekki, Lagos State.
Confirming the arrest, the Zonal Police Public Relation Officer (ZPRO), SP Ayuba Umma, stated that the suspect had been recommended for employment by an agent known only as Anthony.
Blessing commenced her duties as a domestic staff on December 23, 2023.
However, within three days of her employment, Blessing reportedly absconded with the substantial sum belonging to her employer and fled to Cross River State along with her husband.
The arrest, which took place on January 31, was initiated following a petition by the unnamed employer, whose identity is being protected by the police.
Detectives from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, successfully apprehended both Blessing and her husband in their hideout in Cross River State.
The police disclosed that Blessing had deceived Anthony during the employment process, providing false information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity.
Moreover, she failed to complete her employment application form.
“During the investigation, it was revealed that Blessing had approached Anthony under false pretences, providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity. She failed to complete her employment application form.
Despite initially denying the full extent of stealing, Blessing eventually confessed to stealing $30,000 (N44,808,600), admitting to giving $20,000 (N29,872,400) to her husband, Bassey.
Bassey, in turn, confessed to receiving the stolen funds, part of which he used for settling his late mother’s medical bills, purchasing a tipper truck, two motorcycles, and completing a construction project in Cross River” SP Ayuba said