Police apprehend suspected impersonator, recover security uniforms in A’Ibom

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has arrested a suspect who posed as a police inspector during a routine stop-and-search operation in Uyo.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, made the remark in a statement in Uyo on Tuesday.

John said that on Sunday at about 2:30 p.m., the command’s operatives intercepted the suspect riding on a Top Way motorcycle without registration number along Atiku Abubakar Way in Uyo.

She said that during interrogation, the suspect introduced himself as an Inspector of Police residing in the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

“Upon request to establish his identity, the suspect produced a Police Warrant Card bearing the name Inspector Daniel.

“His conduct and responses, however, raised reasonable suspicion among the operatives, prompting a more thorough search.

“The search led to the recovery of another official identity card belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service, further strengthening the suspicion that the suspect was fraudulently parading himself as a security personnel,” John said.

According to her, during a follow-up operation, detectives accompanied the suspect to his residence in Ikot Ekpene, where a search warrant was executed.

The police spokesperson added that the search resulted in the recovery of several items, including police berets, police buttons and insignia, inspector rank badges, and PMF uniforms.

Other items recovered during the search, according to the statement, were: a military camouflage sweater, lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots and other security-related accoutrements.

The PPRO said the suspect was undergoing intensive interrogation as investigators work to determine the source of the recovered items, establish the full extent of his activities and identify possible accomplices.

She warned members of the public against purchasing, possessing or unlawfully wearing security uniforms, insignia, identity cards or other restricted accoutrements, stressing that such acts constitute serious criminal offences.

“Citizens are encouraged to remain security conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, activities, or anyone falsely presenting themselves as security personnel to the nearest Police Station,” she said.