The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that operatives of its Special Weapons and Tactics Unit saved a man impersonating a soldier from being lynched by a mob in the Olomore area of Abeokuta.
The command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, revealed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
She explained that the rescue was prompted by a distress alert picked up by the command’s Cyber Centre, indicating that a man clad in full military camouflage had been surrounded by a crowd preparing to attack him.
Odutola noted that the swift intervention of SWAT officers averted what could have resulted in a tragic mob killing.
She said, “The incident followed a distress call intercepted by the command’s Cyber Centre, alerting operatives that a man dressed in full military green camouflage uniform was surrounded by a crowd and on the verge of being lynched.
“SWAT operatives raced to the scene, and upon sighting the officers, the mob immediately dispersed, allowing safe rescue of the suspect.”
Preliminary findings, according to Odutola, linked the confrontation to allegations that the suspect had stolen two mobile phones from a resident before being chased down by youths in the area.
She stated, “Open-source intelligence further revealed that the suspect, Robinson Godday ‘m’, 31 years old, had allegedly snatched two mobile phones from a young man in the area.
“His attempt to escape proved futile as he was overtaken by a large crowd intent on mob justice.
“He was subsequently assaulted by the irate youths and sustained an injury on his right leg.”
Before police arrival, the crowd reportedly retrieved the stolen phones and returned them to the owner.
During interrogation, the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Robinson Godday, allegedly admitted he was never a soldier.
Odutola said, “The suspect confessed that he was not a military officer, admitting that he had stolen the military uniform from a soldier serving at the Ojo Military Barracks, Lagos, who is currently deployed on operations in the North-East.”
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered intensified security checks and patrols within the area to curb similar occurrences.
Odutola added that the CP condemned the mob action and instructed operatives to conduct more raids and stop-and-search operations around Olomore.
The suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue. The command also warned residents against resorting to jungle justice, urging them to hand over suspects to the authorities.
