Cynthia Ezegwu
The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday said operatives of its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit rescued a man impersonating a soldier from being lynched by a mob in the Olomore area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
The command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the intervention followed a distress alert intercepted by the command’s Cyber Centre. The alert indicated that a crowd had surrounded a man dressed in full military camouflage and were preparing to attack him.
Odutola said the swift response of SWAT operatives prevented a likely fatal mob action. “SWAT operatives raced to the scene, and upon sighting the officers, the mob immediately dispersed, allowing safe rescue of the suspect,” she said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Robinson Godday, had allegedly snatched two mobile phones from a resident before being chased and caught by youths in the area. Odutola noted that the suspect was beaten and sustained an injury on his right leg before police arrived.
The two stolen phones were reportedly recovered by the crowd and returned to their owner prior to police intervention.
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During interrogation, Godday confessed he was not a military officer, admitting that he stole the camouflage uniform from a soldier serving at Ojo Military Barracks, Lagos, who is currently deployed on operations in the North-East.
Commissioner of Police Lanre Ogunlowo has ordered increased security surveillance in the area and directed more raids and stop-and-search operations to prevent similar incidents. He also condemned the mob action.
The police urged residents to refrain from taking laws into their own hands and to hand over suspects to security agencies. Godday remains in custody as investigations continue.