Detained robbery suspect re-arrested on rooftop of Police station in Enugu

There was pandemonium at Nsukka Urban Police Division, Enugu state, when a detained robbery suspect attempted to escape through the ceiling of the toilet in the police station.‎

Daily Times learnt that the suspect, Solomon Aleke, who hails from Ebonyi state, was arrested for alleged theft of a motorcycle at Obollo-Afor in Udenu local government area and a cell phone at Nsukka local government area recently.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 1pm when Aleke told officers on duty that he wants to make use of the toilet.

“Aleke told the officers on duty that he was pressed and wanted to urinate. He was taken to the toilet but unknown to the officer, the suspect had perfected how he would escape.

“I don’t know exactly how long it took him to break the ceiling but suddenly we heard noise from outside that someone was on the rooftop of the station without knowing it is the same Aleke‎ who was supposed to be urinating in the toilet.

According to an eyewitness report, the fleeing suspect was sighted by a police officer on top of the police station roof while planning to jump down and likely run away.

“It was at that point that the officer who sighted the suspect raised an alarm and immediately officers surrounded the building and ordered him to come.

“The suspect defiled the order to come down but within a twinkle of an eye he jumped to a branch mango tree at the police station but one of the policemen deftly climbed the tree and brought him down, handcuffed him and took him back to the cell.

A senior police officer who would not want to be quoted disclosed that the action of the suspect compelled the division to hurriedly charge the suspect to court and the magistrate ordered for an accelerated hearing on the matter after listening to the police prosecutor.

“Evidences of his crime were provided by the investigating police officer as well as the report by the police on the forceful attempt of the suspect to escape from the police custody.

The presiding magistrate of the court 2 in Nsukka, S. I. Eze in his ruling sentenced the suspect to six months imprisonment and an option of fine of N20, 000 for attempting to escape from police custody by force and three years imprisonment without any option of fine for the motorcycle and cell phone robbery.

When contacted the Area Commander, Nigeria Police command Nsukka, ACP. Hassan Yabanet confirmed the incident and commended the prompt response of the police in re-arresting the escapee suspect.