By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected police impersonator and recovered a large cache of security uniforms, insignia, and other official accoutrements belonging to various security agencies. Authorities described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the fight against criminal impersonation.
The suspect, who claimed to be from Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was apprehended during a routine stop-and-search operation along Atiku Abubakar Way in Uyo. He was reportedly riding a motorcycle without a registration number when officers intercepted him.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the suspect’s conduct during the routine check aroused the officers’ suspicion, prompting a search that led to the discovery of several security items allegedly in his possession.
According to the statement, exhibits recovered from the suspect include a police beret, police buttons and insignia, inspector rank badges, Police Mobile Force (PMF) uniforms, a military camouflage sweater, a lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots, and other security-related accessories.
Police said the recovered items are believed to have been used to impersonate legitimate security personnel, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine how the suspect obtained the materials, identify possible collaborators, and establish whether they were used in the commission of any criminal offences.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling crime and eliminating criminal elements across the state. It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or other appropriate security authorities.
The statement read in part:
“On Sunday, July 5, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m., operatives of the Command, while conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, intercepted a motorcyclist riding a Top Way motorcycle without a registration number.
“The rider, later identified as Precious Joseph, an indigene of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State who resides in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, introduced himself as an Inspector of Police.
“Upon request to establish his identity, the suspect produced a police warrant card bearing the name Inspector Daniel.
“His conduct and responses, however, raised reasonable suspicion among the operatives, prompting a more thorough search.
“The search led to the recovery of another official identity card belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service, further strengthening the suspicion that the suspect was fraudulently parading himself as a security operative.”
John disclosed that the suspect later led detectives to his residence in Ikot Ekpene, where additional items were recovered during the execution of a search warrant.
He said the search yielded a police beret, police buttons and insignia, inspector rank badges, PMF uniforms, a military camouflage sweater, a lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots, and other security-related items suspected to have been used in furtherance of impersonation and other criminal activities.
The police spokesperson said the suspect remains in custody and is undergoing intensive interrogation as detectives intensify efforts to trace the origin of the recovered security items, unravel the full extent of his alleged activities, identify possible accomplices, and determine whether he is linked to other criminal operations within or outside Akwa Ibom State.
John further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to rooting out criminal elements who exploit the identities of security agencies to perpetrate crimes, defraud unsuspecting members of the public, and undermine public confidence in the nation’s security institutions.
He warned that the unlawful purchase, possession, use, or wearing of security uniforms, insignia, identity cards, and other restricted accoutrements constitutes a serious criminal offence under Nigerian law.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities, assuring that the Command would continue to pursue offenders and ensure they are brought to justice.
Source: Sun
