Police arrest soldier caught in armed robbery

The Imo Police Command said it had arrested a soldier attached to the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi State, for leading an armed robbery gang of four.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu, who presented the suspect to newsmen on Wednesday in Owerri, said the culprit (name witheld),was the leader of an armed robbery gang known to operate along Oha-Asa in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

Lakanu said that the soldier and his gang were intercepted by operatives of the police command in the area as they flagged down vehicles and robbed people of their belongings.

“We are ever ready for criminals and I assure the people of the state that the police will fish out all of them from their den,” he said.

The commissioner said with the community policing strategy and the introduction of the Eminent Persons’ Forum by the Inspector-General of Police , no criminal could successfully operate in Imo.

Meanwhile, the soldier, in an interview with NAN, said that he got involved in armed robbery due to frustration.

“I went into armed robbery to meet with my financial obligations.

“I am sorry for myself, the Nigerian Army and my family, because what I have done is a shame to my person,” he said.

NAN reports that another suspect, (name withheld) was also shown to newsmen for his alleged involvement in kidnapping.

The suspect told NAN that his friends lured him into kidnapping.

“I was not a bad boy, but my friends introduced me into this kind of job and we have done it severally without being caught.

“I want the government to forgive me and set me free. I will never indulge in any criminal activity again,” he said.