National Telescope national telescope newspaper
A 34-year-old former soldier, Anthony Emmanuel, has been arrested for his involvement in multiple robberies in the Esa-Oke community, located in the Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.
According to reports, Emmanuel, who was dismissed from the Nigerian Army, carried out the criminal activities in collaboration with three other ex-soldiers.
The police said that the group abducted their victims, taking them into a remote area where they were forced to transfer a total of N3 million before being released.
The suspects also robbed two individuals, Olawumi Oluwaseun and Ishola, of their iPhones (models 12 and 13), valued at N1.25 million. The robbers carried out the heists while wearing military uniforms.
The Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrests, adding that the Anti-Kidnapping Squad led the operation that resulted in Emmanuel’s capture.
During the investigation, it was revealed that one of Emmanuel’s accomplices, David Agbebaku, had been arrested in Oyo State for a separate offense.
Emmanuel confessed to his crimes, stating, “I, along with David, kidnapped a young man who transferred money into an account. David later sent N2 million to my account.
The victim didn’t send money to me directly. The military items I wore were all bought by me, including the rank. David brought me from Ibadan to Esa-Oke for the operation.”
Emmanuel, who served in the Nigerian Army for 14 years, was dismissed in January after being court-martialed for misconduct, desertion, insubordination, and indiscipline.
He explained, “I was serving in the Nigerian Army and had participated in a mission in the North East under the United Nations in 2014. I acknowledge that I have committed a grave offense, and I hope to be forgiven. I assure you that this will not happen again.”
