Police have detained a 33-year-old woman for allegedly stealing jewellery worth more than $60,000 from her employer after working as a maid for less than 24 hours, as part of a wider criminal enterprise.
Ms. Alice Udey, who goes by numerous other aliases, was arrested at the Ikoyi authorities station in Lagos in connection with a theft that occurred more than a year ago, authorities said yesterday.
The arrest comes after an exhaustive 16-month search following the investigation.
According to police records, Udey obtained employment as a domestic servant through what appeared to be lawful means.
However, the maid disappeared the next day along with valuable jewellery belonging to her employer.
“This appears to be a well-orchestrated scheme where suspects pose as domestic workers to gain access to homes,” said a senior police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
“We believe Ms. Udey is part of a larger syndicate that has been operating in high-brow areas.”
After months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, the breakthrough case led to Udey’s arrest. Police said they were presently seeking to apprehend the remaining members of the suspected criminal network.
Investigators at the Ikoyi Police Station are inviting anyone with information on similar events to come forward as they attempt to dismantle what they believe is an organised criminal enterprise targeting affluent communities.
The suspect is expected to face theft-related charges, with further charges possible as the investigation proceeds.
