TASKFORCE CHAIRMAN APPREHENDS FAKE NAVAL CAPTAIN
The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has once again demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance, and keen observational skills with the arrest of three impostors who unlawfully paraded themselves as officers of the Nigerian Navy to defraud members of the public and obstruct lawful government operations.
The suspects were apprehended following an incident linked to the demolition of illegal shanties and encroachments on government land at Oworonshoki, Lagos. The impostors had allegedly been using false military identity to evade justice, intimidate residents, and secure undue advantages during enforcement operations.
The principal suspects, identified as Mr. 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 fake naval captain became aggressive and issued threats of confrontation between his purported men and Taskforce operatives.
Suspicions were further raised when CSP 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 immediately contacted the Naval Police unit of the Nigerian Navy, who verified that the individual was not a serving officer. This confirmation led to the prompt arrest of the suspect and his accomplices.
Speaking on the incident, CSP Akerele disclosed that the suspects had already been under surveillance following repeated altercations with Taskforce officers during field operations, as well as numerous complaints from members of the public about a man posing as a Navy Captain to intimidate and coerce residents into compliance under false pretenses.
In a statement, the suspect’s wife 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 ground and took them into custody. They are currently undergoing further investigation,” CSP Akerele stated.
He assured the public that the suspects would be prosecuted by the appropriate military authorities, expressing confidence that the arrest would serve as a strong deterrent to others who impersonate security personnel to perpetrate crimes and tarnish the image of the Police and Armed Forces.
“I urge members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities through our official feedback channels for prompt action. No criminal will be allowed to find safe haven in Lagos State,” he emphasized.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem
Director, Public Affairs
Lagos State Taskforce
