'Hustlers' from the south-eastern part of Nigeria stormed a high-profile burial ceremony during which they secretly raided phones and other expensive items belonging to attendees.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke
The burial of Sir Richard Okeke, the father of Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, on Friday, was like a carnival for pickpockets, Punch reports.
No fewer than 10 cell phones, several handbags and cash were stolen from guests at the funeral, which took place at Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.
The Master of Ceremony, Mr. Chido Obidiegwu, disturbed by the ugly trend, continually warned guests to guard their phones and other personal effects as complaints of missing phones had increased.
At the graveside, when the patriarch of the Okeke family was been lowered to his final rest place, a female voice shouted, “My money, my money”.
She pounced on a young man near her and N100,000 was found in the young man’s pocket. Security agents went for the man; beat him thoroughly before whisking him away.
At the VIP tent, one of those who lost their phones and other valuables, Mrs Roseline Okoye, said she lost N50,000 and a phone.
She said, “I bought that phone just last week and it was a costly phone. I bought it N60,000. They took everything with my handbag. There was N50,000 in that bag. What is all this?
“How can this happened in this high class VIP tent. No poor person was allowed into this tent where I was sitting. How can this happen here? I’m confused”, she lamented.
Pa Richard Okeke died at the age of 88. He was a retired engineer and contractor. His funeral was attended by top class politicians in the country.