Police apprehend three fake soldiers in Ogun

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By Olu AJAYI

NIGERIA: MEN of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested three fake soldiers in Abeokuta, the state capital.

They are Abayomi Amon Akanji, Adebayo Oladimeji and Lawal Akinmoye.

The men, the command explained, had been terrorizing residents of some communities in the ancient city.

The Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told journalists on Thursday that the suspects were arrested in Adatan area.

According to him, at the time of arrest the suspected were fully dressed in military uniform and prepared to extort money from unsuspecting residents.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said that the men had earlier been reported to be carrying out their illegal act on residents of Adatan, Bode Olude and other communities under the pretence of being soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

He stated that their activities got to the peak during the fuel crisis when they dressed in Army uniform with which they used to harass people at various fuel stations.

“The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 3 fake soldiers in Adatan area of Abeokuta,” Oyeyemi said, adding: “The suspects, Abayomi Amon Akanji ‘m’, Adebayo Rasheed Oladimeji ‘m’ and Lawal Musa Akinmoye ‘m’ have been terrorizing residents at Adatan, Bode Olude and other communities under the pretence of being personnel of Nigerian Army.”

“Their activities were at the peak during the fuel crisis when they use to dress up in full Army uniform with which they harass people at various fuel stations,” the police image maker explained.

Oyeyemi further stated that the men landed in trouble last April 17 when the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Adatan Division, Mr. Olajide Joshua, led his men on routine patrol and accosted Akanji, who was dressed in full military camouflage without a name tag.

“His appearance looked suspicious and that prompted the policemen to put some questions to him to ascertain his authenticity, but he was unable to give good and satisfactory account of himself as a soldier,” he stated.

Oyeyemi said that Akanji was promptly arrested and taken to the station and that on interrogation he confessed being a fake soldier.

He said that Akanji also confessed to have stolen the uniform in an Army Barrack where he frequently visited.

“He further named his other accomplices who have been parading themselves as soldiers which include Adebayo Rasheed and Lawal Musa,” he said, adding: “They were both arrested on the 24th of April 2018.  Recovered from them are one full army camouflage uniform, Nigeria Army folder, Army face cap and vests.”

Following their arrest, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.

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