The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested three suspected impostors who allegedly posed as officers of the Nigerian Navy in a bold attempt to defraud residents, intimidate officials and obstruct government operations in Lagos.
The arrest was confirmed by the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, following enforcement activities at Oworonshoki.
According to Akerele, the suspects were apprehended after they allegedly attempted to use fake military identities to intimidate residents, evade arrest and gain undue advantage during official Taskforce operations at the demolition site.
Investigations by the Taskforce revealed that the principal suspect, identified as Mr. James K. Robert—based on the name displayed on his uniform and entries made in the Taskforce visitor’s register—had earlier visited the Taskforce headquarters claiming to be a senior officer of the Nigerian Navy.
During the visit, he reportedly demanded the release of vehicles removed from the demolition site, which he claimed were linked to a car lot he owned at the affected location.
The Taskforce disclosed that the suspect had persistently ignored several statutory notices and repeated appeals by relevant government agencies to vacate the site before the demolition exercise commenced.
Akerele said the suspect later returned to the Taskforce office accompanied by his wife and an alleged orderly, appealing for leniency and invoking what he described as esprit de corps among uniformed services in an effort to pressure officials into releasing the seized vehicles.
However, when his request was declined in line with established regulations and due process, the suspect allegedly became hostile and issued threats, claiming there would be a confrontation between his supposed naval personnel and Taskforce operatives if his demands were not met.
The Taskforce chairman explained that his suspicions were raised during a detailed interaction with the suspect, particularly when the man was unable to give coherent and verifiable details about his military posting, service history or command structure.
Further scrutiny reportedly exposed glaring inconsistencies in the suspect’s appearance and conduct.
Akerele noted that the uniform worn by the suspect featured improperly arranged service ribbons, missing regimental insignia and other anomalies inconsistent with the dressing and bearing of a senior naval officer.
Following these observations, the Taskforce chairman contacted the Naval Police unit for verification.
The Naval Police subsequently confirmed that the individual was not a serving officer of the Nigerian Navy, nor was he recognised within its command structure.
This confirmation led to the immediate arrest of the suspect and two of his accomplices.
Akerele further disclosed that the suspects had already been placed under discreet surveillance prior to their arrest due to repeated confrontations with Taskforce officials during field operations and complaints from members of the public about a man impersonating a naval captain to intimidate residents and obstruct enforcement activities.
During interrogation, the suspect’s wife reportedly admitted that she had previously warned her husband against impersonating military personnel, cautioning him that his actions could eventually lead to serious consequences.
The Taskforce chairman also revealed that his concerns deepened when the alleged orderly and other accomplices quietly withdrew from the scene shortly before the arrest, an action he described as suspicious and indicative of an attempt to evade accountability.
“Before they fully understood 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,” Akerele said.
