The Ogun State Police Command says operatives of its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit stepped in to save a man impersonating a soldier after he was almost lynched by an angry crowd in the Olomore area of Abeokuta.

Police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, made the development known in a statement on Tuesday. She explained that the command’s Cyber Centre had picked up an emergency alert indicating that a mob had cornered a man dressed in military camouflage and was preparing to mete out jungle justice.

SWAT officers were immediately deployed to the scene, and their arrival dispersed the crowd, allowing the suspect to be taken into protective custody. According to the police, the suspect had already been beaten and sustained an injury to his right leg.

Preliminary findings revealed that the man, identified as 31-year-old Robinson Godday, had allegedly stolen two mobile phones from a resident in the neighbourhood. Local youths reportedly chased him down after the theft, realising he was an impostor despite his camouflage outfit.

The police added that the recovered phones were handed back to their owner before officers intervened. During questioning, Godday allegedly admitted he was not a member of the armed forces and claimed he had stolen the uniform from a soldier stationed at Ojo Military Barracks in Lagos, who is currently deployed to the North-East.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, has ordered intensified patrols and stop-and-search operations around Olomore to deter similar incidents. He also condemned the attempted mob justice and appealed to residents to allow the police to handle criminal cases lawfully.

The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.