Eight Nigerians, all men, have been sentenced to death in Sharjah,
United Arab Emirates(UAE) for a string of robberies at money exchanges
and cash machines(ATMs) across the emirate in December 2016.
United Arab Emirates(UAE) for a string of robberies at money exchanges
and cash machines(ATMs) across the emirate in December 2016.
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| The five Nigerians arrested in Dubai for robbing bureau de change |
The ninth Nigerian, found guilty for possession of stolen money was sentenced to six months imprisonment.
He will be deported after serving his prison term.
The Gulf News reported that the Nigerian denied the charge against
him and said that one of the accused’s brothers asked him to transfer
Dh60,000 to an account in Nigeria.
him and said that one of the accused’s brothers asked him to transfer
Dh60,000 to an account in Nigeria.
All the convicted Nigerians were not identified by both the Gulf News
and Khaleej Times, all local newspapers, which reported the trial.
and Khaleej Times, all local newspapers, which reported the trial.
A total of 20 suspects were initially held for attacking security
guards in four violent attacks at ATMs and money exchanges across
Sharjah in late 2016. Out of 20 suspects, nine were convicted.
guards in four violent attacks at ATMs and money exchanges across
Sharjah in late 2016. Out of 20 suspects, nine were convicted.
Some of the accused confessed to their crimes while others denied the charges levelled against them.
The verdict was handed down by Judge Majid Al Muhairi of Sharjah Criminal Court on Wednesday.
The eight-member gang attacked security trucks and entered
establishments by force and threatened and assaulted staff and members
of the public with bladed weapons in a spate of robberies, three of
which were carried out on the same day on December 18, 2016.
establishments by force and threatened and assaulted staff and members
of the public with bladed weapons in a spate of robberies, three of
which were carried out on the same day on December 18, 2016.
The gang — who were all in the UAE on visit visas — were said to be
highly organised and plotted a string of orchestrated attacks to ambush
security trucks that were transporting money boxes to and from ATMs, and
at least one money exchange in Sharjah.
highly organised and plotted a string of orchestrated attacks to ambush
security trucks that were transporting money boxes to and from ATMs, and
at least one money exchange in Sharjah.
The first robbery took place at a Dubai Commercial Bank ATM on King
Abdul Aziz Street where Dh340,000 was stolen, then two days later they
attacked an ATM in Al Safeer Mall in Al Nahda fleeing with Dh700,000,
and an ATM in Muweilah where they stole Dh710,000. A fourth attack at a
money exchange office near National Paints was foiled by police.
Abdul Aziz Street where Dh340,000 was stolen, then two days later they
attacked an ATM in Al Safeer Mall in Al Nahda fleeing with Dh700,000,
and an ATM in Muweilah where they stole Dh710,000. A fourth attack at a
money exchange office near National Paints was foiled by police.
The gang of 20 was arrested in record time but police confirmed that
only a portion of the stolen money — almost Dh1.8 million — had been
recovered, as the gang members had divided the money among themselves
and transferred it to their home country.
only a portion of the stolen money — almost Dh1.8 million — had been
recovered, as the gang members had divided the money among themselves
and transferred it to their home country.
Suspects were taken into custody in cooperation with police in Dubai, Ajman and Fujairah.
The gang committed the heists at the busiest times of day when
streets were crowded, which added to the confusion and enabled them to
escape, said police.
streets were crowded, which added to the confusion and enabled them to
escape, said police.
In each robbery the assailants struck quickly before police could
arrive, the attackers however could not evade security cameras and
police were able to recognise the suspects through surveillance footage
captured at the exchange house in the mall.
arrive, the attackers however could not evade security cameras and
police were able to recognise the suspects through surveillance footage
captured at the exchange house in the mall.
Video footage showed the suspects attacking security guards, making
off with cash, and in one of the robberies slashing the hands of a
security guard with a knife before running away with money boxes.
off with cash, and in one of the robberies slashing the hands of a
security guard with a knife before running away with money boxes.
Police believe the suspects had monitored and tracked the security
trucks used to transport money for a period of time before launching the
attacks.
trucks used to transport money for a period of time before launching the
attacks.
A prosecutor told Gulf News on Thursday that as per the law, a group
of people who threaten the life of others while committing robbery are
subject to the death sentence, however an appeal is expected to be
launched and the sentences could get downgraded to life imprisonment.
of people who threaten the life of others while committing robbery are
subject to the death sentence, however an appeal is expected to be
launched and the sentences could get downgraded to life imprisonment.
The trial appeared unconnected with the arrest of five Nigerians in
March this year, who robbed a Bureau de Change operator of Dh2.3
million (N225.4 million) in Sharjai, Dubai.
March this year, who robbed a Bureau de Change operator of Dh2.3
million (N225.4 million) in Sharjai, Dubai.
The suspects were identified as Chimuanya Emmanuel Ozoh, Benjamin
Nwachukwu Ajah, Kingsley Ikenna Ngoka, Tochukwu Leonard Alisi and Chile
Micah Ndunagu.
Nwachukwu Ajah, Kingsley Ikenna Ngoka, Tochukwu Leonard Alisi and Chile
Micah Ndunagu.
The five Nigerians reportedly barged into the BDC on March 20 and
smashed the glass barrier between the customers and the staff, stole the
money in multiple currencies and fled.
smashed the glass barrier between the customers and the staff, stole the
money in multiple currencies and fled.
Two employees at the exchange were injured as they resisted the
robbers. One of them managed to notify the police. The Sharjah Police
coordinated with forces from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman to nab
the suspects from four emirates within 48 hours after the robbery was
committed.
robbers. One of them managed to notify the police. The Sharjah Police
coordinated with forces from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman to nab
the suspects from four emirates within 48 hours after the robbery was
committed.
A top police official said the suspects came to the UAE on visit visas on March 18.
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