Police nab Nigerian soldier, civilian over alleged involvement in vehicle theft

A Nigerian soldier and a civilian accomplice have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a robbery and vehicle theft case.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, insider sources said the soldier collaborated with a civilian to steal a Toyota Hilux in Lagos.

The suspects were later apprehended by police while en route to the South-South region, where they allegedly intended to sell the vehicle.

“The civilian and the soldier stole the Hilux in Lagos. The soldier then followed him for clearance at checkpoints on the highway. The soldier is serving with Operations Delta Safe Bayelsa. They wanted to sell the Hilux and were tracked by the police,” the source disclosed.

The soldier, who is attached to Operation Delta Safe in Bayelsa State, reportedly identified himself as a military officer in an attempt to evade police scrutiny when confronted.

This incident comes just weeks after another Nigerian Army private, S. Sani, was detained in connection with a violent robbery. Sani is accused of attacking a businessman, Abdulrahman Salihu, in Minna on Eid-el-Fitr day.

According to Premium Times, the soldier allegedly entered Salihu’s clothing store under the pretense of buying shirts and asked for the shop owner’s bank account to make a transfer. When Salihu refused to hand over the goods without confirming payment, the soldier is said to have drawn a knife and stabbed the businessman multiple times, severing one of his arms before fleeing.

Eyewitnesses at the scene confirmed the account of the brutal attack.