A 23-year-old armed robbery suspect, Godwin Emmanuel, has confessed to stealing a police officer’s phone while being transported in a patrol van to the Osun State Police Command.
Godwin was arrested alongside two others, 28-year-old Olajide Kareem and 33-year-old Mike Emmanuel. The trio is accused of robbing residents along the Ilesa-Osu Expressway in Osun State and assaulting a 65-year-old woman while she and her husband were en route to a hospital.
Details of the Incident
The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, revealed more details during a press briefing.
“The three suspects have been involved in robbing motorists and passengers of their valuables. In one of their crimes, they shot a bus driver in the leg. Fortunately, the driver was rushed to the Seventh-day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife for treatment,” Opalola stated.
She also confirmed that Olajide Kareem was apprehended in a nearby bush and confessed to being part of a five-man robbery gang operating from Ikorodu, Lagos State. The police later arrested the other two suspects during follow-up operations.
During his interaction with journalists, Godwin Emmanuel admitted to his actions and pleaded for forgiveness.
“I was arrested for armed robbery. While I was being transported to the Osogbo Police Command in a patrol van, I stole a phone. I didn’t know it belonged to a police officer. I just beg them not to be angry with me,” Godwin said.
He explained further, saying, “I wasn’t thinking clearly when I took the phone. I removed the SIM card because I wanted to use the phone to call my family since they didn’t know I had been arrested. I even took the phone into the police cell without them noticing.”
Godwin went on to plead for leniency. “I’ve been here for about two months. They eventually searched me in the cell and found the phone. I am deeply sorry for what I did and promise it won’t happen again. Please ask them to forgive me.”
The police continue their investigation into the suspects’ criminal activities. The Osun State Police Command has assured residents that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the gang.
This incident highlights the dangers faced by residents and travelers in the state. It also sheds light on the need for increased security along major expressways, especially the Ilesa-Osu route.
The confession by Godwin Emmanuel, particularly about stealing the police phone, has sparked conversations about criminal behavior and its complexities. Many believe his actions in the patrol van demonstrate how deeply ingrained criminal tendencies can be, even in custody.
The Osun State Police Command remains committed to curbing crime in the region. As investigations continue, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
