The Lagos state task force have arrested three impostors who unlawfully presented themselves as officers of the Nigerian Navy, thereby defrauding members of the public and obstructing lawful government operations.
In a statement released, the spokesperson for the agency, Raheem Gbadeyan, said the suspects were apprehended by its chairman, Adetayo Akerele, following an incident linked to the demolition of illegal shanties and encroachments on government land in the Oworonshoki area of the state.
While identifying the principal suspect as one James Robert, Gbadeyan stated that the suspect had allegedly been using a false military identity to evade justice, intimidate residents, and secure undue advantages.
The statement added that the suspects were apprehended at the task force office while they were seeking the release of the vehicles removed from the demolition site.
“The principal suspect, identified as James K. Robert, based on the name tag on his uniform and the visitor’s register he filled at the chairman’s office, had visited the office seeking the release of vehicles removed from the demolition site by the agency responsible for the exercise.
“This was after several statutory notices and repeated appeals were issued to him to evacuate his property ahead of the planned demolition, all of which he ignored.
“The suspect, accompanied by his wife and an alleged orderly, claimed ownership of the car lot at the demolition site and demanded that they be spared in the ‘spirit of esprit de corps.’”
When the chairman refused to compromise professional ethics and public service regulations, the statement noted that the fake naval captain became aggressive and issued threats of confrontation between his purported men and task force operatives.
“Suspicions were further raised when Akerele conducted a detailed interview, requesting information about the suspect’s primary military assignment and command.
Closer observation revealed several inconsistencies, including incorrectly worn service ribbons, the absence of required regimental insignia, and an overall shabby appearance inconsistent with that of a senior naval officer. These red flags confirmed the chairman’s suspicions.”
The chairman was said to have immediately contacted the Naval Police unit of the Nigerian Navy, who verified that the individual was not a serving officer. According to the statement, the confirmation led to the prompt arrest of the suspect and his accomplices.
The suspect’s wife was also said to have admitted that she had repeatedly warned her husband to desist from impersonating military personnel, noting that “several days are for the thief, but one day is for the owner.”
The chairman further revealed that his suspicions deepened when the suspect’s alleged orderly and other accomplices tactically withdrew from the scene shortly before the arrest.
“Before the suspects could fully comprehend what was happening, officers of the Nigerian Navy Military Police were already on the ground and took them into custody. They are currently undergoing further investigation,” Akerele stated.
