A soldier attached to the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigeria Army, Owena Cantonment, Innocent Victor, has been arrested for alleged involvement in armed robbery.

He was arrested with a newly-recruited policeman, David Friday, who is attached to Olofin Police Station in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Both suspects allegedly attacked and robbed some persons in Akure, the state capital, using dangerous weapons at Ojadale junction area of the town.

Parading the suspects on Thursday, the Ondo State Police Commissioner, Bolaji Salami, said David had earlier stolen an exhibit motorcycle at his duty post before he was caught for another robbery act.

The police boss said, “He was being tried for that motorcycle theft when he was caught conspiring with a soldier to rob some people with a dagger. We paraded them and the victims identified them. Other victims came and identified them. When we are done with our investigation, we will charge them to court.”

According to the CP, some of the items they reportedly stole were N6000, one itel phone valued at N8500, 30 litres of petrol and N125,000.

The soldier however denied involvement in the crime, saying he stepped back at the scene of the incident.

He said, “I was only arrested for being on illegal duty, not robbery.”

A man, identified as Desmond Ikechukwu, who had allegedly been parading himself as a soldier to intimidate members of the public was also paraded.

Desmond who confessed that he was not a soldier said he wore the uniform to a drinking joint where he was arrested.

The CP said that all the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigation.

• Adapted from a PUNCH report.