Cop not involved in robbery – Lagos CP

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgar.

Samson Folarin

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has said a policeman alleged to have been involved in a robbery along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sergeant William Godwin, was also a victim.

Imohimi, during a parade on Monday at the command headquarters in Ikeja, said Godwin had been robbed by the gunmen in the Ogba area of the state.

He explained that the sergeant’s ID card, phone and N4,500 were carted away by the suspects, who operated in a Toyota Camry.

“He (Godwin) was, however, fast enough to note the number plate of their vehicle, EPE-813-BX, which was taken to the motor licensing office for discreet investigation.

“After investigation, one of the principal suspects, Kola Bakare, aged 31, was arrested. The suspect confessed to have driven the said Camry and participated in the robbery. The suspect has been identified by the victims and the gang’s operational vehicle, a Camry with number plate, EPE 813-BX, has been recovered,” he added.

Imohimi noted that a manhunt had been launched for fleeing members of the gang.

Godwin told journalists that the suspect pointed a gun at him during the robbery, which he said occurred on October 18.

“He was the one who sat beside the driver of the cab. His job was to point a gun at victims, while others collected what they wanted from the passengers. That day, they picked me from Ikeja and upon reaching the Omole Phase One gate, they robbed me of my valuables,” he said.

However, Bakare said he was innocent of the crime, adding that his confession to the police was under duress.

He said he started using the Camry for taxi business a few weeks back after losing his shop to a demolition excercise carried out by the state government.

“I don’t know if the car owner used it for one-chance robbery, but I had approached him for assistance and he released the car to me for taxi business. I have been driving the car until I was arrested,” he said.

Copyright PUNCH.