The Lagos State Task Force arrested three suspected impostors who allegedly posed as officers of the Nigerian Navy in Oworonshoki, Lagos. The arrest was confirmed by the Chairman of the Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, during enforcement operations in the area.
According to Akerele, the suspects were taken into custody after they attempted to use counterfeit military identities to intimidate residents, evade enforcement actions and gain undue advantage during official activities at a demolition site.
The main suspect, identified as Mr. James K. Robert, from the name on his uniform and the Task Force visitor register, had earlier visited the Task Force headquarters claiming to be a senior officer of the Nigerian Navy. He reportedly pressed officials to release vehicles seized from the demolition location, asserting they were linked to a car lot he owned.
Investigators said Robert ignored multiple statutory notices and government appeals to vacate the property before demolition began. He later returned to the Task Force office accompanied by his wife and an alleged orderly, urging leniency by invoking supposed camaraderie among uniformed services.
Suspicion grew when the suspect failed to provide coherent details about his military posting and exhibited inconsistencies in his uniform, including improperly arranged service ribbons and missing regimental insignia. These anomalies prompted Akerele to contact the Naval Police unit for verification.
The Naval Police confirmed that Robert was not a serving officer of the Nigerian Navy and was not recognised within its command structure, leading to the immediate arrest of him and his two accomplices.
The Task Force revealed that the suspects had been under surveillance following previous confrontations with officers and complaints from members of the public about a man impersonating a navy captain to intimidate residents and obstruct enforcement operations.
During questioning, the suspect’s wife admitted she had warned her husband against impersonating military personnel, saying his actions could eventually lead to trouble. Akerele also noted that the alleged orderly and other accomplices had attempted to leave the scene just before the arrest, raising further suspicion.
Before authorities fully understood the situation, officers from the Nigerian Navy Military Police arrived on the scene and took the suspects into custody. They are currently undergoing further investigation.
