Police Arrest ‘Soldiers’ In Abuja After Purchasing Goods With Fake Alerts

Two suspects, Emmanuel Linus and Moses Daniel, have been arrested by the operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Police Command for impersonating Nigerian Army officers.

Naijaonpoint reports that the Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, while parading the suspects and others recently arrested across FCT on Tuesday, stated that Linus and Daniel were members of a criminal syndicate specialising in defrauding unsuspecting victims.

Disu said Linus was apprehended in a full Nigerian Army camouflage uniform on 30th November 2024, around 2:00 p.m.

During the initial interrogation, Linus allegedly presented a fake military identification card listing his date of birth as 20th December 2024, which immediately raised suspicions.

He said, “The group reportedly purchases goods and services using fake bank alerts to deceive sellers. The police have commenced a thorough investigation into the matter, with efforts ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate. Authorities have assured the public that additional updates will be provided as investigations progress.”

In another development, Disu said that following his directive banning vehicles without number plates and using tinted glasses, no fewer than 296 vehicles had been impounded.

He said, “I am pleased to report our progress since the launch of the Command’s Special Tactical Team. To date, the Command has impounded 296 vehicles for violations such as the use of tinted glasses, driving with only one plate number, and the use of concealed or defaced number plates.”

Disu also revealed that two suspects were arrested for destroying streetlight poles behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stealing cables.

According to him, one of the suspects is a dismissed police officer, and the recovered cables were valued at over ₦20 million.

He said, “Following five days of surveillance after noticing suspicious movements around manholes in the area, a significant breakthrough was made. On 29th November 2024, at approximately 3:49 a.m., a distress call was received regarding the vandalism of streetlight poles behind the Foreign Affairs Office in Abuja.

“Acting swiftly, operatives apprehended two suspects, Awal Mustaf and David Maji (a dismissed police officer), during the operation. The stolen streetlight cables, property of the Federal Capital Development Authority, were estimated to be worth between ₦20 million and ₦25 million. Items recovered from the suspects include: Two medium-sized streetlight poles, Several large streetlight poles and Cables.

“Both suspects are currently in custody and undergoing comprehensive investigation.”