A 30-year-old cross-border robbery suspect, John Godwin, has told operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad attached to Zone 2 Command that he was arrested because he forgot to recite Psalms 121 before going for the operation.
Godwin, who looked dejected, said it was because God wanted the police to arrest him that he forgot to the read Psalms 121 on the fateful day when he and gang members were going for the robbery operation. Four other suspects – Solomon Adeniji (27), Tosin Adeoye (25) and two nationals of Republic of Benin, Adewale Adebolaji (45) and Moyori Sule (42) – were arrested alongside with Godwin.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO), CSP Dolapo Badmos, said the suspects used to snatch vehicles in Nigeria and drove them to the neighbouring Benin Republic and handed over to a receiver identified only as Alhaji.
It was learnt that Godwin was a former convict. Godwin said it was his friend, Auwa, who sent his phone contact to the said Alhaji, who then invited him to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, for discussion.
He said: “I was once sent to Ibara Prison in Abeokuta for stealing something at a market in Abeokuta. It was in the prison that I came across Tosin. It was also Alhaji who sent my phone number to Solomon.
“My plan was not to go back to crime when I came back from prison. I did not have money to take care of myself that was why I went back. But later I told myself robbery is not the best option for me because my parents told me when I was born a pastor prophesied that I would become a pastor. Fortunately, when I was in the prison I used to preach and pray with my colleagues. It is the devil that drove me to crime.
“Whenever we are going on an operation, I usually read Psalms 121. I believe reading the Psalms would give me protection throughout the operation period. On a fateful day I was arrested I forgot to read the Psalms before leaving home. I believe God wanted the police to arrest me so as to quit robbery.”The two foreigners, who spoke with also said it was the same Alhaji who co-opted them into the robbery gang.
