A 21-year-old man, Sodiq Abiodun, has been arrested for rape and impersonation.

According to the Oyo State Police Command, Abiodun was nabbed alongside a 31-year-old accomplice, Lekan Adesokan.

WuzupNigeria gathered that Abiodun, who claimed to be a soldier, and Adesokan were arrested for raping a 17-year-old girl, Alimot Ismail.

While parading the suspects on Thursday at the Command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, said the arrests were further aided by intelligence gathering and the support being given by the state government.

According to the CP, at about 8:30am, on Wednesday, February 19, Ismail was accosted at a desolate spot at Modina, Orita Aperin area, Ibadan by a suspect who claimed to be a soldier.

He said,

“The hoodlum attacked the said Ismail Alimot and dispossessed her of her cell phone and abducted her to a hide-out at Papa Eleye, Olomi area, Ibadan where the syndicate’s member was waiting for him. The victim was held hostage and was later raped serially until the next day.

“As soon as the incident was reported at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office, a team of SARS operatives swung into action and two hoodlums, who later identified themselves as Sodiq Abiodun and Lekan Adesokan, were arrested in connection with the crime.”

A set of Nigerian Army camouflage uniform was recovered from the suspect. Police investigation shows that Abiodun usually wore the army uniform anytime he wanted to go on operation.

When interviewed, Abiodun, father of one, said his ambition was to join the Nigerian army but fate did not smile on him.

Although he is a carpenter, Abiodun said he took to impersonation for survival because of hardship.

“I am a carpenter but people know me in my area as a military man. I love the profession. Since 2007, I kept applying to join the Nigerian Army but I didn’t make it. For one reason or the others, they usually disqualify me. I love the job, so I got an army uniform and started wearing it around. I travelled around with the uniform. People gave money because they knew me as a soldier.

“This is the first time I would involve in rape. I wooed the girl and took her to my friend’s house. The act was committed in the process.”

His accomplice said,

“I knew him as an army officer in the community where I live. Many people thought he is a soldier. He was loved and respected. He was always travelling; he would travel for a long time and people would believe that he went on official duty. He brought the girl to my house.”