Nigerians enter UAE, rob money exchange 48 hours later

Juliana Francis

The Sharjah Police in UAE has arrested five Nigerians who robbed a Bureau De Change less than 48 hours after entering the country.

The Nigerians, who entered the country using a visit visa, were arrested less than 48 hours later after the robbery.
The suspects were alleged to have carted away Dh2.3 million, which is equivalent of N226, 182,000. The whole money was recovered intact.
It was gathered that four of the suspects, on March 20, stormed into the exchange office, while one waited in a car outside.
The suspects entered the country on March 18. A CCTV captured the robbery. The footage has since gone viral. The footage captured one of the suspects shattering the glasses of the Bureau De Change after gaining access into the office. It also captured another member of the gang hurriedly gathering the money.
The Sharjah Police speaking about the robbery on Sunday, explained that the suspects stormed the Bureau De Change and smashed the glass barrier between the customers and the staff, stole the money in multiple currencies and fled.
The police further said: “Two employees 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 pursue and arrest the suspects from four emirates within 48 hours after the robbery was committed.
The incident was reported at Al Ansari Exchange in Al Tawoon area.
A top police official disclosed: “The suspects came to the country on visit visas on March 18. For two days, they studied the exchange office before deciding to commit the robbery around midnight - just before the shop was to close. On March 20, four of the suspects stormed into the exchange office, while one waited in a car outside. After the four suspects rushed out with the money, they fled in the car.”
Major-General Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police, said the whole amount has been recovered.
He added: “The police team reached the site within seven minutes after the robbery was reported. The injured staff members were rushed to the hospital, where they were discharged the next day.”
The police lifted forensic evidence from the site and formed a team to crack the case. "Arrest warrants for the suspects were circulated at all ports of the country to prevent them from leaving," disclosed the Commander-in-Chief.
The police got the number plate of the car in which the suspects fled. Following this lead, they arrested one of the suspects in Sharjah. This suspect led the police to the others - two in Ajman, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Ras Al Khaimah.
The suspects, who confessed to the crime, have been referred to the public prosecution.