Confessions Of Dare-Devil Robbers…our Business Of Blood And Money – How T.b. Joshua Saved Us
me charms to make me disappear in case of danger. He told me I should not allow any other person but myself to drive the car, and I should not allow any woman in the car. Keeping to that instruction, nothing bad could befall me, he assured me. But one night, we were travelling, then, suddenly, there were torchlight around us. Before we knew it, the police had opened fire. I disappeared and appeared in an unknown forest where I trekked from midnight till 3pm the following day. I heard a voice that warned me that if I go into crime again, I would die. When I got into town, I called one of my fatherâs friends, and confessed to him. He told me God had solution to my problem.
When I met him, he showed me a programme on Emmanuel TV and I saw armed robbers that were delivered. He asked me to find transportation fare I went and sold some of my things to raise the money for the fare. When I came, he told me they have shifted the date for counselling from October to November 27. He told me it is through healing service that I can see the man of God. I decided that I will not wait till that date but I will go and fellowship there. He was concerned that I could become a destitute in Lagos since I donât have anybody there. Then, I remember a friend of mine from my school days who joined the army and is now in Ikeja. I called and informed him. I arrived on Saturday and located the church on Sunday. When I sat down listening to the man of God preaching, I heard him say that âif you know that you are an armed robberâ¦â I was covered with sweat. The power of God led me out and the man of God delivered me.
How much was the first big money you made?
Any operation that we went for, we got a minimum, per head, of over one million naira. Sometimes I spent up to nine months enjoying the loot, living the bad life.
Justin Oliseh, a juvenile 18-year-old is a football prodigy, who in 2003/4 played in the junior team of Gabros. The Anambra indigene had been plagued from childhood by an uncanny kleptic instinct, which drove him to steal from his classmates and teachers. But in 2004, he abandoned his studies while in JSS 2 and became fully engaged in robbery.
How were you initiated into armed robbery?
This armed robbery of a thing is like a generational curse in my family. My father was killed in an armed robbery operation. My father begat five children â four boys and one girl, but I am the only one that is an armed robber.
How do you mean when you say it is a generational curse?
My uncle was also killed in an armed robbery operation.
Why do you decide to follow in their (your father and uncleâs)footsteps?
The spirit that was in them entered inside me.
How do you mean? You that had been stealing while they were still alive?
They were not alive then. I witnessed their death.
How were they killed?
My father was executed publicly in Anambra State and my mother took me to witness his execution.
Why did she do that?
Because when my father was alive, I was his favourite son, he took me everywhere he went. In Iboland, there is a saying that, âobeka nnayanâ meaning, like father like son.
Was your mother not ashamed at going to the public execution?
I canât remember. I was too young then.
The moment he was shot what happened to you?
The moment he was shot, my spirit hardened. I felt something come over me. I suddenly had the strength to do things I was afraid of doing before. From that moment, I can look my mother in the face.
What was the first gang you joined like?
We were five in number. But I refused to carry gun and refused to shed blood. If I carry gun, it will be empty of bullets.
What was your first operation like and where?
It was in Anambra stae, a house operation.
When did you stop robbery?
This month of November (2009).
When was your last robbery?
Last month (October) here in Lagos. My friend and I snatched mobile phones from people in the bus. My friend brought out a penknife and we collected all the passengersâ mobile phones.
How many mobile phones did you collect?
The ones that were with me before I sold them were 12.
How did you make the decision to come to this church?
In my house, I used to watch Emmanuel TV and I used to see many robbers that were delivered and I asked myself how could I be delivered? One of my friends advised me to go to the church. The first day I heard the man of God preach, he said, âThere is a robber in this church.â I didnât know whether he was talking to me or not. The second