An armed robbery suspect, Saheed Olanrewaju, on Wednesday said if a friend had not taught him how to steal, he would have died of hunger. He said the hard economic situation in the country forced him into the stealing.
The 39-year-old suspect, said his friend called “SV” introduced him to the life of crime he led until he was nabbed by officers of the Kwara State Police Command.
Punch reports that Olanrewaju, a native of Sagamu, was paraded by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr.Olusola Amore, in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
“I met SV in Taiwo area in Ilorin when he taught me how to rob. I regret my action now, but it was hunger that turned me into a robber. I had been starving for long and I realised robbery was the only source of daily bread at the time. If I am eventually freed today, I will never venture into crime again,” Olanrewaju said.
The CP said one of the victims of Olanrewaju’s gang, one Abdulateef Abolaji, was sleeping at home with his family at Budo area of Italepa in Ilorin, when he was attacked the suspect.
However, an investigation into the attack later led the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command to the arrest of Olanrewaju.
One locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect. The police is now making efforts to arrest Olanrewaju’s accomplices who are at large. He added that the suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigations.
