Joy Anyim
An Army deserter who claimed to have being serving at Maiduguri has been arrested by the police for murder and robbery.
The suspect, Shedriack Christopher, claimed he joined the Nigerian Army in 2013 and was drafted to Operation LAFIYA DOLE where he served until November 2018 when he deserted.
Christopher had allegedly stolen two infinix 4 handset valued at N86, 000 at Express View Hotel, Ketu, Ijanikin where he was arrested.
Parading the suspect at the Command Headquarters on Wednesday, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu said the suspect was involved in killings In Igando area of Lagos and Edo state.
Speaking, Muazu said, “ On March 3, 2019, at about 6am, men of the Ijanikin Police Station received a complaint from the hotel that the 29 year old suspect, who claimed to be a soldier and had lodged there, had stolen two Infinix Hot 4 handset valued N86, 000.
“ They said he stole the phones From the bar and hotel room. Exhibits recovered from him were one axe, one cutlass, a knife, Nigerian Army warrant card, Honda accord car with registration number Lagos SMK 846 and Army Uniform.
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“ He confessed to have deserted from the Nigerian Army in 2017 at Maiduguri.He also said he participated in killings at Igando Lagos and Edo state in 2017 after deserting the Army.”
It was also discovered that the suspect used two different names for his military identity card and his Driver’s Licence. While his military identity card had Shedriack Christopher, the driver’s licence had Chikwe Kenneth John.
Telling his own side of the story, Christopher explained why he had two different names. He said, “ I joined the Nigerian Army in 2013. As at then, the age for application was from 18 to 22. I was 26 year old then so a soldier advised me to change my age and name. I changed my name, reduced my age and sat for GCE to get the O’level required for application.
“That explains why I have two names. The driver’s licence was done when I was still a mechanic and a driver before joining the Army.”
On his involvement in the crime, Christopher said, “ I had gone to that hotel to meet with my girlfriend. But when I got there I saw the phones and decided to keep them till the owners ask of them. I did not steal the phone.
“ I am a deserter, I left Maiduguri in 2018 after serving for five years without leave or transfer. I was attached to 55 Army Signal Corps, Arakan Barracks and my boss is Major-General Mohammed of Signal Corps.”
The Police commissioner also revealed that the Command had written to the Nigerian Army to confirm if the suspect was a personnel, but was yet to get their response.
