•As Command arraigns self-acclaimed Police Inspector, soldier
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered Divisional Police Officers and detectives to be on the lookout for impersonators who parade themselves as security operatives in the state.
Giving the directive on Thursday, February 18, 2021, through a statement issued by the state police spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Odumosu condemned the impersonation by some individuals.
He made reference to cases whereby dismissed officers and civilians would be parading themselves as members or personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and security agencies still in service, including the state-owned agencies, in order to perpetrate illegal acts.
According to the PPRO, the state police boss directed the DPOs, detectives and Heads of Department in the command to apprehend impersonators and make them to face the full wrath of the law.
Pointing out that many Lagos residents had been deceived with such conducts and antics, Odumosu warned the general public to be wary of the impersonators.
He added that impersonating the police, military or other security agencies would affect the security system in the state.
The police commissioner directed all police personnel in the state to always have their police warrant or identity cards as a means of identification, even while in a uniform, as an expected practice by law enforcement agents.
To affirm his words, Odumosu had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Adegoke Fayoade, to prosecute one Anya Okorie (45), of Alabata Street, Ikotun area, and Usman Ali (21), of 51, Ali Balogun Street, Ijora Oloye, for impersonation.
Thenewsbearer learnt that Okorie was arrested while in complete police uniform with the rank of an Inspector of Police at Ketu.
Ali was also nabbed with the Nigerian Army Camouflage vest by police operatives attached to Surulere Division.
The fake Inspector reportedly paraded himself in a suspicious manner, while Ali was arrested within the premises of Surulere Division when he and his accomplice, now at large, chased and attacked one Onyema with a jack knife.
Adejobi said that the two suspects confessed to being fake police officer and Army personnel respectively, with Ali disclosing that he was a motorcycle rider.
Items recovered from Okorie were two mobile police berets, two lanyards, two mobile police khaki trousers, three mobile T-shirts, Sgt Rank and Mobile Squadron badges.
Army Camouflage vest and Jack knife were also recovered from Ali.
It was further stated by the PPRO that the fake soldier had been charged to Magistrate Court 3, Surulere on February 17, while Okorie was arraigned on February 18.
