Army sergeant and 4 others arrested for allegedly robbing minister of Niger Delta (Details, pics)

An army sergeant, Solomon Abel, has been arrested for allegedly taking part in the stealing of a sport utility vehicle belonging to minister of state for Niger Delta, Claudius Daramola.

The soldier was paraded with four others - Dedeigbo Olabiyi, Raymond Anyam, Sunday Shakede and Kingsley Chijoke, for the alleged theft.

According to commissioner of police, Lawan Ado, the suspects confessed to being members of an inter-state robbery gang, the Nation reports.

The soldier who claimed to be serving at the 143 Battalion in Minakra, Adamawa state, said he was lured by his friend, Olabiyi, a former driver with the minister, to do ‘escort service’ for a car, not knowing it was stolen. The police disclosed that the car, marked IWA 01, was stolen on November 21 from Daramola’s Tanke, Ilorin home.

Olabiyi however said their intention was not to steal the car. Olabiyi said: “We didn’t plan to steal the car. I had some challenges and when I discussed with one of my friends, he said he could escort me to beg the minister.

"I was in a hotel when the man came in with a car; I was surprised and asked what was going on, but he said get in, get in… I was not myself because that was not my kind of thing and that was when these people came and got us.

“I was working with the minister before he fired me for stealing N4.5 million from him. I have been trying to beg him because my car is with him. I worked with him for two years.”

The police said the suspects would soon be charged to court.