Dismissed soldier arrested for armed robbery

isaac dachen

November 17, 2015 2:47 PM

A dismissed soldier who took to armed robbery has been arrested in Lagos.

The dismissed soldier turned robber, Kelechi Okorie

A 40-year-old discharged soldier, Kelechi Okorie, has claimed that his dismissal from the Army forced him to join an armed robbery gang so that he can fend for his family, reports New Telegraph.

The Imo State born suspect was arrested at the Ajah are of Lagos State on November 10, while trying to snatch a motorcycle from its owner in the night. He also reportedly shot the cyclist in the leg after he struggled with him and refused to let go of the motorcycle.

It was the gun shot and the screams of the motorcyclist that drew the attention of people who rushed to the area and nabbed him before being handed over to the police.

The police say they have discovered the gun and ammunition from Okorie while the victim is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

The suspect confessed his involvement in crime to be a result of his dismissal from the military.

“I am a dismissed soldier. I was dismissed in Imo State in 2013 because I travelled without permission.

After I was dismissed, I joined a three-man gang of robbers. One bought this gun for us to operate with.

Since we have been operating, we have never killed anybody except the motorcyclist who I shot unintentionally. We usually operate on Badagry Road and anywhere we see what we like.

We have operated in more than five places so far and I have received over N90,000 from the operations. We snatch mostly motorcycles and handbags by pretending to board the motorcycle.

We will ask the owner to come down forcibly and we go away with the motorcycle and the owner’s possessions.

I don’t know if my gang members are aware of my arrest and I don’t know their whereabouts. I am married and have kids but I don’t know if they would bail me out or I’d be charged to court. If I’m released, I won’t go into robbery again.”

isaac dachen