The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr Samuel Adegbuyi, has paraded a middle-aged man who was fully kitted in military uniform, and 32 others, in Benin City, the state capital. They were alleged to have been involved in various criminal activities ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping, cultism, rape and defilement.

COMPOL Adegbuyi told journalists that the ‘soldier’ was an impostor who has been masquerading as a military officer to rob unsuspecting persons in Benin metropolis.

The ‘military officer’ was paraded with a ‘bloody civilian’, Julius, who police said served as his aide-de-camp in nefarious activities.

The purported soldier, who identified himself as Hope Obasuyi, 27 and from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, admitted using the military uniform to rob unsuspecting residents of their money and other valuables.

He disclosed that he was expelled from the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria in Kaduna State, after four years. On his methods of operation, he said: “I just call them (his victims) and because the uniform scares them, they submit what I ask them to bring. I don’t threaten them with a gun.”

Amongothers paraded was a grandfather, Felix Adebayo, 67, alleged to have had unlawful carnal

knowledge of a 10 years old girl sent to collect a cell phone from him.

The unspeakable incident occurred at Ubiane Community near Aviele, Auchi, Edo State.

Pa Felix Adebayo admitted committing the crime but pleaded for forgiveness, saying it was the handiwork of the Devil.

Also among those paraded was Amacaulay Ikhuakpogba, who was apprehended during a stop-and-search operation conducted by police operatives at Iguobazuwa area. “Credible evidence reveals that he has been involved in series of robbery and kidnapping activities in Iguobazuwa area of Edo State,” the police stated.

One cut-to-size single barrel gun and six live cartridges were the exhibits recovered from the suspect.

The suspect confessed to have, in connivance with others now at large, been involved in kidnappings and armed robberies in the area.

Exhibits paraded along with all the suspects included five AK 47 riffles, 36 guns, 42 live cartridges, seven assorted phones, three motorcycles and three vehicles marked LAGOS

LSD 629 BP, EDO BEN 920 FH and ABUJA GWA 902 FB, respectively.

COM POL Adegbuyi stated that the suspects would be charged to court as 82 other suspects also nabbed within the last one month are already in court.

He restated the Command’s readiness to providing adequate security of lives and property in Edo State.

•Photo by Nelson Dafe shows the fake soldier and his accomplice.

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