A former Head of Operations at First Bank of Nigeria, identified as Akin, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for collaborating with armed robbers to steal large sums of money from the bank.
According to reports, Akin, who worked with the bank for six years, allegedly provided the robbers with vital information about the branch’s operations after reportedly becoming dissatisfied with his salary and lifestyle.
Investigations revealed that he informed the criminals that the bank operated for only a few hours on Saturdays and that only two security guards were on duty on Sundays. He also supplied details about the bank’s vault and internal layout.
One of the robbers reportedly entered the bank on a Saturday and hid in the ceiling through the bathroom area before the premises were locked. In the early hours of Sunday, around 4 a.m., the suspect opened a secret exit door, allowing three other accomplices to enter the building while the guards were asleep.
The robbers subsequently accessed the vault using information provided by Akin and carted away large amounts of naira and foreign currencies before escaping through the same route.
The theft was discovered on Monday when staff resumed work and found the vault empty, prompting the closure of the branch and the involvement of the police.
Security guards on duty were initially arrested while all bank staff members were placed under investigation and restricted from leaving town as authorities conducted searches of their homes.
During a search of Akin’s residence, police reportedly discovered large sums of cash in both naira and dollars. He was subsequently arrested and later confessed to his role in the robbery, providing details about the other suspects involved.
Following his trial, the court sentenced him to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the crime.
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