A former armed robber has reportedly turned his life around after a troubled past that saw him become involved in criminal activities and spend time in detention.
His story was recounted by Rev. Ben Eragbai, General Overseer of Divine Appointment Ministry in Lagos, who has spoken about his own past experiences at the shrine of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
According to Eragbai, the man, identified as Victor, was initially detained at Kirikiri after being accused of stealing money from his workplace. He reportedly maintained that he was innocent of the offence and was awaiting trial when he encountered an armed robbery kingpin in prison.
After his release, Victor allegedly struggled to reconnect with his family, who had rejected him. He subsequently returned to the man he had met in prison and became exposed to a life of crime.
Eragbai said the former detainee was eventually given a pistol and became involved in plans for an armed robbery operation.
According to the cleric, Victor later found himself at one of his church services in Lagos while waiting for members of his gang to prepare for the operation.
Eragbai said he interrupted the service with a warning that an armed robber was present among the congregation and that proceeding with the planned operation could cost him his life.
The former robber later approached the cleric and reportedly admitted that he was the person being referred to.
Eragbai said Victor was carrying a gun at the time and explained that he had been sent to monitor the area before his gang carried out the robbery.
To establish the man’s identity, Eragbai contacted Victor’s younger brother, who was also a pastor. The brother reportedly confirmed that Victor was a member of the family but had been rejected because of his involvement in armed robbery.
The cleric said he subsequently began counselling Victor and arranged accommodation for him with one of his church members.
However, according to his account, Victor was later located by people who attacked him and returned him to Kirikiri. He eventually escaped and returned to Eragbai, telling the pastor that the message he had heard during the church service had continued to trouble him.
Eragbai said the experience became a turning point in Victor’s life, eventually leading him away from criminal activities and towards Christianity.
The cleric has previously recounted the story, saying the man later became a pastor after receiving counselling and undergoing a process of rehabilitation.
Eragbai has also spoken about his own youthful experiences at Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s shrine in Lagos, recalling that he spent time there as a student before later becoming a Christian minister.
Fela’s original Afrika Shrine was an important cultural and entertainment centre in Lagos before his death in 1997. The New Afrika Shrine was later established by members of his family to preserve his legacy.
The former robber’s story, as recounted by Eragbai, highlights his claimed journey from criminal activity and imprisonment to religious conversion and rehabilitation.
