Police nab fake soldier, navy officer in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly posing as military officers in separate incidents in the state capital.

The Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists at his office in Yenagoa.

He said operatives of the Ekeki Division apprehended one Kelechi Lazarus, 25, who was dressed in military camouflage bearing the rank of Corporal. The suspect allegedly attempted to withdraw N200,000 from a Point of Sale operator at Ekeki Park using a fake bank alert.

According to the commissioner, the suspect showed the operator a purported credit notification on his mobile phone as proof of payment, but the victim did not receive any corresponding alert and insisted on confirming the transaction at her bank.

Police said the bank later verified that no payment had been made. Edebor explained that the suspect initially persuaded the operator to accompany him to his bank but later suggested they visit his supposed base at the 16 Brigade Nigerian Army.

Suspicious of the situation, the victim declined, after which the suspect allegedly assaulted her, causing injuries. She immediately alerted the police control room, leading to the suspect’s swift arrest.

The commissioner said a search on the suspect led to the recovery of illicit substances, while investigations indicated he had allegedly defrauded people in different states using a similar method.

Edebor added that verification by the Military Police confirmed the suspect was a dismissed soldier from the 82 Division Nigerian Army, discharged in 2024. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.

In a separate incident, police arrested another suspect, Isah Aliyu Umar, 25, for allegedly impersonating a Lieutenant of the Nigerian Navy. Authorities said falsified documents and other exhibits were recovered from him.

Edebor reiterated that both suspects would face prosecution, stressing the command’s determination to clamp down on impersonation and related criminal activities in the state.