As insecurity festers across the country, some unscrupulous elements wearing full military uniforms even though they are not members of any military formation are on the prowl. Such impersonators confuse and deceive unsuspecting members of the public to achieve their dishonourable purpose.
Last Sunday, August 28, the Lagos State police public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, a superintendent of police, issued a statement disclosing that detectives of the state police command arrested a suspected fake Army Captain, Andy Teddy Edwards, 39, for armed robbery.
Explaining how the alleged self-styled officer operated, the statement revealed that the fake soldier, who posed as a modeling agent, would invite ladies for auditioning and then rob them of their cars and valuables at gun point.
According to that the statement, “he was arrested following a painstaking investigation that was launched after one of his victims reported the robbery of her Lexus RX330 SUV.
“Further investigation led to the recovery of one Ford Edge SUV with registration number KRD 276 EG, one sewing machine, one POS machine with six SIM cards, two pairs of military camouflage uniform, one number plate – AFL 469 GD, in the suspect’s house.
“While investigation is being rounded off, the owner of the Ford SUV is hereby urged to come forward to claim same. Suspect would be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.”
Similarly, on August 26, Hundeyin had also issued another statement, disclosing that the state police command arrested suspected fake soldier and supplier of military uniforms. It added that military uniforms, police accoutrements and live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
The statement reads: “Detectives of the Lagos State police command have arrested a fake soldier, Oluwatosin Gabriel, 39, during enforcement of the total ban on motorcycles in some parts of the state.
“A discreet investigation by the detectives led to the arrest of the supplier of the military uniforms, one Nurudeen Agboola, 35.
“The following items were recovered from the fake soldier and his supplier: four pairs of military camouflage uniform, nine live cartridges, military identity cards, police accoutrements and charms.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their criminality. Suspects would be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.”
On July 24, detectives from Iju Divison of the Lagos State police command arrested four suspected fake soldiers in a Mazda saloon car.
The suspects were identified as Samuel Abel, 28; Victor ljeemai, 35; Lukman Salabiu, 43; and 30-year- Oyinyechi Macus. The impersonators were nabbed during a routine patrol by the operatives.
Confirming the arrest, Hundeyin said the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for further investigation.
Two weeks before the four suspected fake soldiers were nabbed, 20-year-old Michael was arrested at Sari – Iganmu Road, Orile by policemen attached to Orile division for impersonation. At the time of his arrest, Michael was said to be clad in full military camouflage even though he was not a member of any military formation.
On July 31, the police command in Niger State confirmed the arrest of a suspected fake soldier, Aliu Umar, around Ibeto village of Magama local government area of the state.
The police public relations officer in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development.
According to Abiodun, based on a tip-off that an individual who has been parading himself as a military officer was sighted along Ibeto area of Magama Magama local government area of the state, the police sprung into action. He added that when the information was received, police operatives attached to Nasko division mobilised to the area and arrested the suspect.
Abiodun further disclosed that the suspect was arrested with one Mercedes Benz car with registration number, BDG 300 TA, one NDA emblem, one military camouflage jungle hat, one military vest and belt. Other items recovered from him include one military face mask, two ropes, three SIM cards of different network providers and N700,000 cash. Abiodun said that the suspect hails from Wawu-Garin Warra, Ngaski Magama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to NAN, he alleged that during interrogation, the suspect denied being a military officer, but claimed that what was found on him belonged to his brother who is a military officer serving at Warri, Delta.
The police public relations officer said the suspect has been on the command’s watchlist as he abandoned a Honda Accord vehicle marked RBC 143 FF at Maje along Kotangora road in 2020 to evade arrest for a similar offence. He said that the suspect would be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded.
It was gathered that suspected fake soldiers usually present themselves as serving officers, intimidating, harassing and duping unsuspecting members of the public.
Meanwhile, two soldiers, Lance Corporal John Gabriel and Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, have been dismissed from the Nigerian Army over their alleged involvement in the killing of an Islamic cleric, Sheik Goni Gashua Aisami, in Yobe State.
Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu, said: “Both soldiers were charged and summarily tried for failure to perform military duties and conduct prejudice to service discipline, punishable under Section 62(a) of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 and Section 103(1) of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. Both of them were found guilty and awarded reduction of rank from Lance Corporal to Private and dismissed regiments.
“The two dismissed soldiers would be officially handed over to the Nigeria Police, Yobe State Command in Damaturu for civil prosecution in the court of law.”
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© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.
© 2019 The Sun Nigeria - Managed by Netsera.