I Robbed Because I Needed Money to Treat My Diabetes - Robbery Suspect Confesses

Torhole Philip (first left), Idris Sulaimon and Abiodun Salufu 

A robbery suspect has explained that the need to fund his treatment for his diabetic condition is the reason why he engaged in the vice. Torhole Philip, an ex-convict who was part of a 3-man gang, was paraded for attempted armed robbery by the police in Lagos recently.


He told reporters that he was once jailed for armed robbery and car snatching few years ago and got out of prison in July 2015.


“I got out of prison and could not find a job. I was dying and had nothing to eat. I was lucky to find a locally made gun where someone hid it around our neighbourhood in Ebute Metta,” Philip said. He was about to use the gun in a robbery along with his friend when he was nabbed by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad at Iganmu area of Lagos. Philip said he found the gun around the railway line at Ebute Metta, Lagos.

“My diabetes worsened when I was in prison. When I got out, I went to a doctor at a clinic in Ebute Metta and the doctor billed me N17,000,” the Benue State-born suspect said. As Philip spoke, he swayed on his feet, as if he was about to collapse anytime, so our correspondent told him to sit.

He explained that he realised he could not undertake a robbery alone, so he informed a friend, 20-year-old Abiodun Salufu, who agreed to follow him. He said they boarded a bus with the intention of robbing the driver.

“I had the gun in my pocket and just wanted to wait till other passengers got down before I pointed it to the driver and ask for all his money. But before we could do that, the RRS double-crossed our vehicle and searched us. I did not know they had been trailing us before,” Philip said.

The suspect said he did not intend to hurt anyone with the gun but merely wanted to make a living. Salufu and another friend, 26-year-old Idris Sulaimon, who were also paraded along with Philip each denied participating in the robbery.

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