by Anike Jacobs

Despite the fact that he robbed for a living, a suspected armed robber arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, Felix Odion, claims  he never missed church service.

Upon his recent arrest on November 22 from a hideout in Ifo, Ogun State, Odion claimed he was lured into joining a robbery gang and insisted that he was a committed church member.

Speaking with Punch Metro, 23-year-old Odion, who makes a living snatching Toyota cars from unsuspecting victims, said he was given N70,000 from the first robbery operation, adding that he had gone out with the gang only on two occasions.

“I live at Arowojobe Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi with my family. I am also married with two children. I was working as a driver with a plastic company before I was sacked.

When I was laid off two months ago, I became penniless and I needed to make ends meet. But I did not think of robbery because I am a Christian. I hardly miss any church service. I attend a church in Oshodi.I met the gang at a beer joint in Oshodi and one of them told me that we could do some work together. I didn’t know it was r obbery. When they snatched the first vehicle, I was given N70,000. It was after my second participation that I was arrested.”

Odion, who hails from Ugbowo, Edo State, added that he was arrested last Saturday in his house while his family was preparing to go to church.

When asked why he preferred to snatch Toyota products, the suspects said Toyota vehicles sold faster than other brands.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the arrest, adding that investigations were ongoing.

Sola