Shocking: University Student Blames Witchcraft for Stealing N58m Mercedes Benz

Cursory: Meshach Siunuphro, a 25-year-old man, is under investigation for allegedly stealing and fleeing with N58million Mercedes Benz SUV in Abuja. He pretended to buy the car, vanished during a test drive, and was later arrested in Edo State.

Meshach Siunuphro, a physically well-built 25-year-old man, who claims to be involved in multiple businesses, although his appearance and age may raise suspicions, possibly associating him with fraudulent activities has been arrested.

The young man claims that he is a prominent figure in Abuja, engaging in forex trading, and simultaneously pursuing a 300-level education in Business Administration at the University of Istanbul, Turkey.

At the moment, he is facing interrogation in the nation’s capital as police investigators strive to uncover the true motive behind the alleged theft and escape with a luxurious Mercedes Benz Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The vehicle in question is an unregistered 2021 model of Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, reportedly valued at a staggering sum of N58 million. Siunuphro, originally from the Ughelli area of Delta State, allegedly disappeared with the car on June 30 during a test drive, which took place after commencing negotiations with the dealer based in Abuja.

Subsequently, he drove to his hometown, where he changed all four alloy rims, leaving the car hidden in the bush within the Oteri community, Ughelli. Police operatives later discovered and recovered the vehicle on July 3.

Four days after the incident, on July 6, the suspect was arrested in Benin City, Edo State.

According to DSP Bright Edafe, the Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command, the suspect will be transferred to Abuja for further investigation. Edafe explained that the suspect came across the car advertisement online, expressed interest, and contacted the dealer.

During their physical meeting, the suspect negotiated a price of N30 million, feigning readiness to make the payment. He requested a test drive, which the dealer agreed to, allowing the prospective buyer to assess the SUV’s true value.

The dealer accompanied Siunuphro during the test drive, and while on the road, they decided to stop at a fuel station to refill the tank since the car was running low on fuel. However, they discovered that the specific station only accepted cash payments.

“So because they were not accepting transfer at the particular station, the dealer stepped out to get cash from a POS stand, only for the suspect to disappear afterwards.

“When it was discovered that the car was in Delta, the complainant who is the Abuja-based car dealer was advised to come to the command to formally lodge the report,” he said, adding that on July 3, the vehicle was recovered.

“But investigation did not stop there. We later got another intelligence report that the suspect was in Benin. We swung into action and arrested him on Thursday morning, July 6. I moved him to Asaba for onward transfer to Abuja,” he said.

He took the chance to offer advice to both card dealers and car owners, urging them to be cautious of a new modus operandi employed by criminals to steal cars from unsuspecting individuals. Specifically, he warned those who take their vehicles to car wash centers against handing over their ignition keys to attendants.

Speaking with our correspondent, the suspect narrated how he drove the car to Delta, even as he regretted his action.

In his words:

“I saw the advert online and chatted with the dealer to set up an appointment. But when I saw the car, I told him it was not worth what he actually mentioned to me initially.

“He asked me to make an offer, and I offered to pay N30 million. He told me to just hold on a minute that I should shut my mouth and wait for us to test drive it. He said then I would hear the sound of the car, and that the car was actually worth the price it was listed.

“He told me that the car is a 2021 model. I volunteered to go for the test drive. On our way, we passed through a long roundabout. Then he said I should quickly pull over for us to get some gas for the car for us to continue the test drive.

“So I pulled over to the gas station and he told me to wait for him, that he was going to get some cash from POS across.

“I waited for over 30 minutes, and he was not showing up. And there was a queue of vehicles behind me at the petrol station. So I had to pull over a bit for other cars to come in and buy.

“I waited over two hours, he was not showing up and it was already close to 6pm. He was already calling me and I tried to call him back but his number was switched off.

“I didn’t know the exact point I was at that moment, so I had to use the nearest filling station to put some gas in the car. He didn’t come after he left. That was when I drove off the car,” he said.

When questioned why he did not return to the car stand after waiting for hours, he explained that there were numerous car stands, making it challenging to find the exact one. Siunuphro admitted to driving the car to Delta without encountering any police checkpoints along the way.

He also revealed that he accidentally ran into a ditch, resulting in damage to one of the front rims, which led him to replace all four rims at a cost of N350,000.00. He clarified that his sole intention was to purchase the car and use it for personal transportation.

“I was just going to buy and drive. But I have not paid at that point. I was hypnotised, can’t say exactly what happened,” he stated.

He noted that his forex trade business is like a daily business. “It comes and I make my claim and use my profit to do what I want. I was actually expecting some money that same day.

“Stealing of cars is not my business; this is actually my first. I am a 300 level student of Business Administration at the University of Istanbul. I just came back from Turkey.

“Now, I feel nervous, I feel overwhelmed, I wish I didn’t do it. I regret my action. It didn’t go down well. I never expected it will end up like this sort of situation.”

Source: Nigerianlawyers

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