A fake soldier arrest in Abuja caused mob chaos after a man in stolen military uniform was caught stealing mobile phones. Police urge calm and law compliance

The Abuja Police Command reported on Monday that a fake soldier arrest sparked chaos after a man dressed in a military uniform was intercepted by officers and rescued from an angry crowd.

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Police spokesperson Odutola explained that the incident followed a distress call to the command’s Cyber Centre, alerting operatives that a man in full camouflage was surrounded by a mob and at risk of lynching.

SWAT officers arrived promptly, causing the crowd to disperse and allowing safe rescue of the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Robinson Godday. Intelligence indicated he had allegedly stolen two mobile phones from a local resident.

Odutola stated that Godday admitted he was not a military officer and had stolen the uniform from a soldier deployed at Ojo Military Barracks in Lagos. The recovered phones were returned to their rightful owner before police intervention.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, condemned the mob action and directed increased security checks, raids, and stop-and-search operations around Olomore to prevent similar occurrences.

Authorities urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands, stressing the importance of reporting suspects to law enforcement. Godday remains in custody as investigations continue.

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The incident highlights the dangers of impersonating security personnel and the potential for mob violence when communities attempt vigilante justice.