A 24-year-old woman, Jessica Anthony, has confessed to plotting with suspected armed robbers to steal gold jewellery belonging to her boyfriend in Delta State.
Anthony, who is currently in police custody alongside an accomplice identified as Ada, allegedly masterminded the plan in Asaba, hoping to obtain money from the sale of the valuables.
The suspect told investigators that she contacted the robbers to break into her boyfriend’s residence and cart away his gold, claiming she needed funds to settle her sister’s financial obligations.
“I told them to go and collect his gold. They would sell it and give me the money,” she reportedly said, while admitting that she would have been hurt if her boyfriend had done the same to her.
Parading the suspects, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the woman and the victim had previously dated, separated, and later reconciled in December 2025.
According to Edafe, Anthony, in collaboration with her friend, visited a known criminal hideout in Warri in search of armed robbers to execute the plan.
“She approached some individuals in one of the black spots and pleaded with them to help her rob someone,” the police spokesman said.
Edafe explained that the suspects unknowingly contacted a community leader who works closely with security agencies to rid the area of criminal elements.
After requesting the intended victim’s photograph, the group realised they knew him and immediately alerted him of the plot.
“The boyfriend agreed that they should play along. They told her they needed about N65,000 to get tools,” Edafe said.
Police said Anthony transferred N50,000 through a Point of Sale operator and added N15,000 cash.
She allegedly led the supposed robbers to the estate where her boyfriend lives and identified his apartment.
The plan unravelled when the boyfriend alerted estate security operatives, leading to the arrest of all involved as they were leaving the area.
The victim was said to have told police that one of his gold bracelets was valued at N4.2m, while another piece of jewellery was worth N8.9m.
“I feel heartbroken. I never expected this from her,” he was quoted as saying.
Police said investigations are ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of inquiries.