Dismissed Soldiers Arrested for Armed Robbery, Army Impersonation in Ibadan
Chukwu Obinna 
IBADAN, Nigeria – Police arrest two dismissed Nigerian Army corporals accused of leading armed robbery operations while impersonating senior military officers across Oyo State’s capital.
The Oyo State Police Command confirms on Wednesday that the suspects, identified as David Okhaie, 48, and Balogun Afolabi, 43, use military credentials to intimidate victims and seize vehicles at gunpoint within Ibadan metropolis.
“These suspects exploited their former military training to instill fear,” police spokesperson Olayinka Ayanlade says. “One of them falsely presented himself as an Army captain despite being dismissed from service.”
Ayanlade says the arrests follow intelligence-led operations by the Command Monitoring Unit, resulting in the recovery of several stolen vehicles, including two Toyota cars, a Lexus RX 350 SUV and a commercial motorcycle.
According to police, both men have made confessional statements and are assisting investigators in identifying other members of the robbery syndicate.
“We are intensifying efforts to dismantle the entire network,” Ayanlade says. “Crime involving impersonation of security personnel poses a serious threat to public trust and safety.”
Residents who lost vehicles through robbery are urged to report to police headquarters with valid documents for verification and possible recovery.
Security analysts warn that dismissed or rogue security personnel increasingly exploit uniforms and ranks to commit crimes, calling for stricter monitoring and inter-agency intelligence sharing.
The arrests come amid heightened police operations nationwide, following a recent foiled robbery attempt in Abuja’s Kado district. Authorities say investigations remain ongoing.
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