Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested two suspects, Emmanuel Linus and Moses Daniel, impersonating a Nigerian Army officer.
One of the suspects, Linus, was apprehended on November 30, 2024, around 2:00 p.m., dressed in full Nigerian Army camouflage uniform.
During initial interrogation, Linus was said to have presented a fake military identification card that listed December 20, 2024, as his date of birth, raising immediate suspicions.
Parading the suspects and others recently arrested across the FCT on Tuesday, the Commission of Police, Tunji Disu, said Linus and Daniel are members of a criminal syndicate who specialised in defrauding unsuspecting victims.
“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,” Disu added.
He also said following his order banning vehicles without number plates and usage of tinted glasses, no fewer than 296 vehicles had been impounded.
Disu 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.”
He also said two suspects were arrested for destroying streetlight poles behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stealing cables.
Disu, who revealed that one of the suspects is a dismissed police officer, stated that the cables recovered from them were worth over N20 million.
He said, “Following five days of surveillance after noticing suspicious movements around manholes in the area, made a significant breakthrough. On November 29, 2024, at approximately 3:49 AM, a distress call was received regarding the vandalism of street light 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 N20m and N25m. 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.”