Police parade dismissed solder in Abia for robbery

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Abia State Police Command has  paraded a dismissed solder , one Okezie Chukwuebuka, and other members of his gang for allegedly dispossessing a resident of his cell phone valued at N28,000.

The incident according to police took place on June 12 along Uzuakoli Road Umuahia.

Parading the suspects, Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade said the victim Stephen Nwokoma promptly reported the incident to police who swung into action and arrested one of the gang members who later led the police to their hideout.

Police said the dismissed solder was later picked up in a hotel with his girl friend cum a female member of the gang.

Items recovered from them include : two pairs of army uniform, different cheque leaves and Automated Teller Machine cards belonging to different people believed to be the gang's victims.

Later in an interview, the prime suspect, Chukwuebuka said he was dismissed from the Army in 2016 because he ran away from Boko Haram insurgents at the battle field in Damasak, Maiduguri.

The Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia born ex- solder who was recruited in the Army in 2014 said he fled from the frontline because he was left to face Boko Haram terrorists without weapons.

He said he fled on the day  45 out of 59 troops in their detachment were killed by Boko Haram leaving only 14 survivors without arms.  

The ex- solder said they were later charged for cowardice, court -marshaled and dismissed by the Army authorities.

He begged for second chance , promising never to run away from the enemy again if re-absorbed into the Army.

" I am sorry for what happened but I am willing and capable to join the Army again if given another opportunity. I am willing to die in the battle filed even if I have no arms", he said.

He however said his girl friend was only his lover and not an accomplice, adding that he decided to take her to the hotel because he did not want to dishonour his mother by bringing a girl friend to their family home.