Blessing Effiong, a domestic worker, has been apprehended by operatives of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Onikan, for allegedly stealing her boss’s $51,000, approximately N81.6 million at the prevailing market rate.

Blessing was arrested with her husband, Bassey Effiong by detectives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) who trailed them to Cross River State where they fled to after committing the alleged crime in Lekki, Lagos.

According to the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), SP Ayuba Umma, the couple conspired and committed the offence on December 26, barely three days after Blessing started working as a domestic help at the owner’s Lekki residence.

Umma, in a statement yesterday, said the couple was arrested on January 31, adding that they already used the money to acquire properties for themselves.

Asked who the owner of the money was and whether he/she was interrogated for hoarding such amount of foreign currency at home, Umma answered in the negative, stressing that the information he provided was all he knew.

“Blessing Effiong was recommended for employment by an agent named Anthony and began working as a domestic staff on December 23, 2023.

“Following intensive investigation, both suspects were apprehended on January 31, 2024.

“During the investigation, it was revealed that Blessing Effiong had approached Anthony under false pretenses, providing misleading contact information and using registered phone numbers not associated with her identity.

“AIG Durosinmi encourages members of the public to exercise vigilance and conduct thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff for their safety and to prevent falling victim to criminal elements,” Umma said.