By Olaitan Ibrahim
A supermarket’s trusted Chief Security Officer and one of its staff members have landed behind bars, accused of masterminding a brazen after-hours heist involving goods worth a staggering ₦28,191,000.
The accused, Obikayo Obitayo Abiodun, 35, the Chief Security Officer at Valuecity Supermarket, located at 12/14 Orchid/Eleganza Bus Stop, Lekki, and his alleged accomplice, Emmanuel James Onorjar, 35, a staff member, were arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu, Lagos Island, after their dramatic arrest by operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command.
According to investigators, the duo allegedly struck between 31 December 2024 and 9 January 2025, sneaking into the supermarket after closing hours to cart away high-value items belonging to their employer, Ilechukwu Okereke.
The shock discovery came when the supermarket owner arrived the following day only to find his business plundered.
Reeling from the loss, Okereke petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, who immediately deployed a crack team to hunt down the culprits.
Leveraging intelligence gathering and digital tracking, the officers traced and nabbed the suspects in their Lagos hideout.
Following a thorough investigation led by Inspector Awe Friday, the two men were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, breaking and entry, and stealing, offences punishable under Sections 411, 309(1)(2), and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2025.
Police Prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Haruna, informed the court that the pair used their inside knowledge to breach the supermarket’s defences under the cover of night and make off with millions in merchandise.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Magistrate A.O. Alogba granted them bail set at ₦1 million each, with two sureties apiece in like sum.
However, the court ordered their remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until their bail conditions are met.
The case has been adjourned to 23 May 2025 for mention, as the shocking betrayal by insiders continues to reverberate through the Lagos retail community.