A 23-year-old armed robbery suspect, Godwin Emmanuel, confessed to stealing a police officer’s phone while being transported in a patrol van to the Osun State Police Command. Emmanuel’s arrest, alongside two other suspects, Olajide Kareem, 28, and Emmanuel Mike, 33, followed a series of robberies targeting motorists and residents along the Ilesa-Osu Expressway.
The Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed the details while parading the suspects on Friday. “The three suspects rob motorists and passengers of their belongings,” Opalola stated.
She added, “In one of the incidents, a bus driver was shot in his leg but was quickly taken to Seventh-day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife for treatment.”
The police successfully captured Kareem in a nearby bush, and he reportedly confessed to being part of a five-member robbery gang that traveled from Ikorodu in Lagos State to carry out crimes in Osun.
Emmanuel’s unusual theft of the policeman’s phone while in custody has drawn attention and raised eyebrows.
Speaking about the incident, Emmanuel admitted, “I was arrested for armed robbery. When I was being transported to the Police Command in Osogbo, inside the police patrol van, I stole a phone. I didn’t know it was a police phone. I beg, please don’t be angry with me.”
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He continued to plead for forgiveness, explaining his actions as impulsive.
“I told the police not to be angry with me. I don’t know when I did that. I took the phone into the police cell without them knowing. I removed the SIM card because I wanted to use the phone to call my family since they don’t know I have been arrested for armed robbery.”
Emmanuel, who has been in custody for approximately two months, expressed regret over his actions, saying, “They later came to search me in the cell and discovered the phone on me. Please tell them to forgive me. I won’t do it again.”
The arrest of Emmanuel and his accomplices marks a step forward in the ongoing effort to curb crime in Osun State. Police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens and bringing criminals to justice. As investigations continue, the suspects face charges for armed robbery, with Emmanuel’s bold theft inside a police vehicle highlighting the complexities officers often encounter in handling detainees.