Burglars who broke into the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Alausa,Ikeja in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and carted away N3 million, have left the officials puzzling how they did it.

Security men were at the building when the burglars broke into the ministry unnoticed early Friday, fuelling suspicion that the burglary might be the work of an insider.

At least, 30 civil servants have been arrested and detained at the Alausa Police Station in connection with the incident.

The burglars were said to have gained access into the ministry through the ceiling while security men, including policemen were on duty and carted away large sum of money that was meant for the payment of allowances for non-employees of the Lagos State Government who assisted the state in rendering free invaluable services.

Sources blamed the burglary on an insider who would have volunteered information about the money just weeks after ministry workers groaned about the paucity of funds.

Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Lawal Pedro said the incident occurred at night, saying that the police have arrested 30 staff for questioning over the burglary.

According to him, the police would screen those arrested and ensured that the culprits were brought to book, wondering how burglars could gain access to the building without an insider giving out information.

“Why did the burglary not take place weeks before when there was no money and everybody was complaining. The incident could not have happened without an insider. All the security men that were on duty when the department was burgled are also being interrogated in addition to those working in the Accounts Department.

“I have giving my approval for thorough investigation of the incident despite pressure to sweep the matter under the carpet,” he said, adding that he would ensure that the culprits were punished accordingly.

“It is those who indulge in this kind of burglary that eventually graduate into stealing of billions. The money carted away was in the region of N3 million.
Immediately they told me, I asked them not to enter the department since policemen would need fingerprints during the investigation.

“The money was meant to pay allowance to Nigerians who are used in ‘Probono’ Services, mediation, free legal services and others. Since they are not staff, the ministry evolved the idea of giving them allowance for volunteering their expertise in mediation and in other areas,” he stated.