Abuja ladies are cheap to attract. Just dress nice and be in a good car with air conditioning that is working.”
Suspect
An act of kindness if not properly done can lead to doom and longtime gnashing of teeth.
This was the case of an Abuja-based businessman, Mr. Wilson Egun. He later regretted his actions but a swift response from the Police team saved the day.
Mr. Egun lost his track somewhere in Maraba area of Abuja, but his meeting with Sunday Bidemi was like meeting a devil in an angel’s cloak.
Bidemi helped him out in his confused situation and they later became friends. But that yoke of friendship was Egun’s undoing and he will forever remember that.
They met sometimes in October 2024 during a ride and Egun told Bidemi about his search for a trustworthy and efficient driver, this was an opportunity for Bidemi and he grabbed it with both hands.
He convinced Egun that he was an efficient and reliable driver with remarkable experience and pronto, he succeeded in gaining Egun trust, he got the job without the necessary background checks, not even a surety or guarantor as the case may be.
Impressed by Bidemi’s sweet-coated tongue and his willingness to help, Egun made an impulsive decision. There was no interview, no background check, and no formal agreement. The two men simply shook hands, and without further hesitation, Egun offered him the job.
For the first few weeks, everything appeared to go smoothly. Bidemi seemed to fulfill his duties as a driver with reliability and professionalism.
Barely one month after the master and servant relationship, Egun realised his undoing, but a little too late.
Precisely in November 2024 when Egun asked Bidemi to drive his elderly mother, Mrs. Monica Egun, to a hospital in Cite C Estate, near Airport Junction in Gwarimpa. Mrs. Egun was in need of medical attention.
After completing the drop-off, Bidemi was supposed to return to Mr. Egun’s home.
But instead of returning, Bidemi made an unexpected and shocking decision—he stole Mr. Egun’s grey 2016 Toyota Corolla. He fled the area, leaving Mrs. Egun stranded at the hospital and Mr. Egun, who had trusted him, reeling in disbelief.
When Mr. Egun discovered what had happened, his initial feelings of shock and confusion quickly turned to anger and frustration. How could someone he had extended his trust to, someone who seemed so helpful and genuine, betray him so ruthlessly?
Mr. Egun immediately reported the theft to the Maitama Police Division and the Anti-Car Theft Unit in Abuja. But, weeks passed with no sign of the car or Bidemi.
As the days turned into weeks, he couldn’t help but reflect on how easily he had let his guard down and placed his trust in a stranger.
In his words Mr. Egun said “I trusted him, he seemed genuine, he helped me, and I never imagined he would steal from me.”
But After nearly a month of waiting, a breakthrough came on December 15, 2024.
Bidemi was finally apprehended in Masaka, Nasarawa State, when law enforcement officers tracked him down. Bidemi, unaware that the net was closing in on him, had been using the stolen vehicle openly, driving around in the same car he had taken.
On the day of his arrest, he was reportedly seen washing the car, a bold move that ultimately led to his downfall. When authorities arrived, they caught him red-handed. But the story didn’t end there.
Bidemi’s arrest unearthed even more shocking truths about his criminal behaviour, revealing a complex web of deceit.
Before his capture, Bidemi had embarked on a journey to Jos, Plateau State, driving the stolen vehicle. Along the way, he met a young woman named Alhari Bako, unknown to Alhari she was about to fall victim to the very same deception that had entangled Mr. Egun.
Bidemi, who had already honed his skills of manipulation, used his charm and persuasive powers to convince Alhari to assist him. He asked her to fuel the stolen car with ₦60,000, promising to pay her back as soon as he could. Additionally, he borrowed another ₦20,000, claiming his banking app wasn’t working and that he would return the money once he was able to access his accounts.
Alhari, taken in by his confident demeanour and neat appearance—he was dressed in a Navy blue tracksuit—believed him without hesitation. She had no reason to doubt his story. Trusting his promises, Alhari agreed to his request, not knowing that she was walking straight into another one of Bidemi’s devious traps.
After fueling the car, Bidemi and Alhari spent the night at a hotel in Saminaka, Kaduna State. But when Alhari woke up the following morning, she was left in shock. Bidemi had vanished. Not only had he disappeared, but he had also taken with him the ₦60,000 for the fuel and the additional ₦20,000 he had borrowed, leaving Alhari stranded and penniless.
As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Bidemi had used his charm and calculated deceit to manipulate others for his personal gain. His earlier victims, including Alhari, were not the first to fall for his tricks. The Police were able to uncover more startling details about Bidemi’s actions.
The Navy blue tracksuit he had worn during his scam, for example, did not belong to him. It had actually been stolen from Mrs. Hannah Jitina a Navy personnel who had also fallen victim to Bidemi’s deceit.
Mrs. Hannah had given Bidemi a ride to a program near Abacha Barracks Bridge, but during the journey, Bidemi stole her personal items, including her ID card, ATM card, National Identification Number, NIN, card, and Navy slip tag.
Investigation showed that the stolen tracksuit, which had helped Bidemi appear respectable and trustworthy, was just one of the many pieces of evidence of his manipulation.
As investigators dug deeper, they discovered Bidemi’s pattern of manipulation. He used his well-maintained appearance, often dressing in a clean, confident manner to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. Police questioned him about how he was able to trap two women.
During his interrogation, Bidemi allegedly boasted, “Abuja ladies are cheap to attract. Just dress nice and be in a good car with air conditioning that is working.” He explained how he used his appearance and the allure of a comfortable, well-maintained car to deceive and exploit these women, making them feel at ease before scamming them.
As more victims came forward, it became evident that Bidemi had developed a pattern of behaviour. He would first charm his victims, often by appealing to their sense of kindness or by pretending to be in need, and once they trusted him, he would exploit that trust for his personal benefit.
Despite his best efforts to evade justice, Bidemi’s luck eventually ran out. The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police, working tirelessly to locate him, finally managed to track him down. He was arrested and is now facing multiple charges, including grand theft auto, fraud, impersonation, and theft of personal belongings.
The stolen Toyota Corolla was recovered and returned to Mr. Egun,
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu urged the public to be vigilant and to take necessary precautions when hiring domestic workers, drivers, or anyone who will have access to personal information or valuable possessions.
He emphasised the significance of conducting thorough background checks.“Before hiring any domestic worker or driver, ensure that you properly vet them. Ask for valid identification—whether it’s a National ID card, driver’s license, or passport. References from previous employers are also crucial in helping you assess an individual’s trustworthiness and reliability,” CP Disu advised.
The Commissioner also emphasised the importance of assessing the character and temperament of a potential employee before making any decisions. “Take the time to observe their behaviour. Don’t rush into hiring someone without properly evaluating their integrity. If you have any doubts, take the time to verify their information or look for red flags.”
For those concerned about vehicle theft, CP Disu recommends installing tracking devices in cars. “Tracking devices are an effective tool in ensuring the recovery of stolen vehicles,” he said.
