Ogun: Police save fake soldier from being beaten to death

By Joy Akinsanya

Police have have rescued a fake soldier, Robinson Godday, 31, from an angry mob after he allegedly stole phones in the Olomore area of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

The rescue followed a distress alert intercepted by the police command’s cyber centre, indicating that a man dressed in full military camouflage had been surrounded by a mob and was on the verge of being lynched.

The command’s Spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola who confirmed this in a statement said following the alert, police SWAT operatives raced to the scene, prompting the crowd to disperse as soon as they saw the officers, and allowing for the safe evacuation of the suspect.

“The suspect, Godday allegedly snatched two mobile phones from a young man in the area before he was chased and apprehended by residents.

“He sustained an injury on his right leg after being beaten by the mob, while the stolen phones were recovered and returned to the owner” she said

Odutola added that the suspect confessed during interrogation that he was not a soldier, and that he stole the military uniform from a serviceman attached to the
Ojo Military Barracks, Lagos, currently deployed in the North-East.

She said the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue, to uncover the extent of his alleged activities and identify possible accomplices.

However, Ogun Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, condemned the mob attack and ordered intensified raids and stop-and-search operations in the Olomore corridor to prevent similar incidents.

Ogunlowo urged residents to desist from jungle justice and to hand over all apprehended suspects to the nearest police formation for proper investigation and prosecution.

(NAN)