Police rescue ‘fake soldier’ from Ogun mob attack

THE Ogun State Police Command said it rescued a suspected fake soldier, Robinson Godday, who was trying to flee with a snatched phone from an irate mob in the Olomore area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the rescue followed a distress call received by the command’s cyber centre.

Odutola noted that the suspected fake soldier had allegedly snatched two mobile phones from a victim and was attempting to flee before the mob intercepted and attempted to lynch him.

She noted that upon the arrival of the police, the phones were returned to the rightful owner, while the suspect admitted to having stolen the military uniform.

Odutola stated, “Open-source intelligence further revealed that the suspect, Robinson Godday, 31 years old, had allegedly snatched two mobile phones from a young man in the area.

“His attempt to escape proved futile as he was overtaken by a large crowd intent on mob justice. He was subsequently assaulted by the irate youths and sustained an injury on his right leg. The stolen phones were recovered by the mob and returned to the rightful owner.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was not a military officer, admitting that he had stolen the military uniform from a soldier serving at the Ojo Military Barracks, Lagos, who is currently deployed on operations in the North-East.”

Following this report, Odutola disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, directed that raids and stop-and-search operations be intensified in the area.

“The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue to unravel the full extent of his activities and identify possible accomplices. The Ogun State Police Command strongly advises members of the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands.

“Any suspect apprehended should be handed over to the nearest police formation for proper investigation and prosecution. Mob action is a criminal offence and poses a grave danger to innocent lives,” Odutola concluded.

This is not the first instance of fake soldiers using military uniforms to perpetrate criminal activities.

PUNCH Metro reported on September 17 that the Niger State Police Command arrested a man who allegedly impersonated a soldier in an attempt to rob motorcycle riders in Minna. Another suspect was also apprehended in Bangi town, Niger State, for stealing a motorcycle.

Similarly, PUNCH Metro reported on August 26 that the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja, handed over a 36-year-old man, Animashaun Khalid, to the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly impersonating an army major.

The suspect was apprehended at the Arena Market, Oshodi, after soldiers discovered him with a forged army identity card bearing his name and the rank of a major.