Men of the Nigerian Army in Delta State have arrested three suspected impersonators who pose as soldiers to intimidate the public and extort money from them.
According to a Press Release signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain George Okupe, 63 Brigade Headquarters, Asaba Delta State, the three were arrested at different locations and on different dates.
Below is a copy of the Release:
On Saturday 30 May 20, troops of 63 Brigade, Asaba under Operation CHECKMATE arrested another imposter/fake soldier who was apprehended during a routine patrol.
The suspect Mr Green Ogonna age 25 who hails from Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State was arrested in his residence at Coker Junction in Asaba, Delta State following an intelligence report. During the search, troops found military wears and boots with fake pictures of the suspect hanged on his wall parading himself around town as a Military Officer.
Similarly, on 18 of May 2020, own troops on routine patrol arrested one MRS Joyce Sulieman age 43 years along NPA expressway in Uvwie LGA dressed in complete military camouflage. The suspect claimed to be a soldier and uses that to extort money from locals and also act as escort to vehicles carrying substances suspected to be Indian Hemp and scraps from one place to another. More also, during preliminary investigation, a picture of her in possession of an Ak47 rifle was seen in her mobile phone. However, she was once arrested handed over to the police for similar act in July 2018. However, she has been handed over to the police for the second time for prosecution after interrogation.
More also, It would be recalled that one Mohammad Abdul age 40 years who was once arrested at Anwai road for impersonation and handed over to police for prosecution on 14 April 2020 was re-arrested by own troops on Operation CHECKMATE during routine patrol on 20 May 2020 for impersonating by wearing Army uniform again. The suspect was caught at a mounted road block and extorting money from motorists along road Onitsha-Asaba. The suspect was caught with a fake military identity card, one jack knife with a brown purse containing substance suspected to be Cannabis (Indian Hemp). The suspect was handed over to the police for further interrogation.
The suspect Mr Green Ogonna is presently with the Brigade Military Police for further investigation. After investigation he will be handed over to the police for prosecution after interrogation.
Further more, it is pertinent to state that section 110(1) of the Criminal Code makes it unlawful for any person who is not serving in any of the armed forces in Nigeria to wear the uniform of the armed forces, or any part of the uniform of such forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of such uniforms. Camouflage is a part of the military uniform and so it falls under this law.
Consequently, the Brigade wishes to call on the general public and law abiding citizens of the state to be wary of such people who parade themselves as military personnel. Locals are advised to report any unusual or suspected presence or movement of impostor/fake soldier to the nearest security agencies.