laleye Aluko

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a fake naval officer, Ahmed Abdullahi, in the Victoria Island area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 37-year-old Abdullahi from Adamawa State was apprehended while he was on a trip to Lekki, reportedly to raise money for his wedding billed for March 27.

Our correspondent gathered that when Abdullahi, who rode a motorcycle, was accosted by the police around the tollgate area on Wednesday, he allegedly showed them his fake naval identity card.

It was said that when the policemen were about to let him go, some people in the area reportedly hinted the police that Abdullahi was impersonating and he had been on the navy wanted list.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the suspect was thereafter arrested and two fake ID cards recovered from him.

Speaking with our correspondent, Abdullahi said he got the fake ID card to protect his motorcycle from traffic officials, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and policemen.

Abdullahi added that his bride and parents, who were in Adamawa State, had yet to know that he had been arrested by the police, pleading that he should be freed to go and plan his wedding.

He said, “I am not a robber, but it is true that I impersonated a naval officer. I started impersonating in December 2015. I am a motorcyclist, and I wanted to be able to move on roads without any restriction.

“I wanted to avoid trouble from area boys, LASTMA officials and policemen. I came to Lagos last year and I am preparing for my wedding in Adamawa. My bride, Aisha, and my parents do not know that I have been arrested. The police did not allow me to call them. It is only my neighbours in Obalende, where I stay, who know.”

The suspect added that he got the ID card from a friend in Abuja after paying him a sum of N1,000.

He said, “I believe everything that happens is from God. It was one of my friends who got the naval ID card for me. I collected it from him in Abuja last year after paying N1,000.

“On the day I was arrested, policemen just stopped me during a search around Lekki while I was on my motorcycle. I showed them my ID card. They were going to let me go when some people nearby raised the alarm that the navy had been looking for me for the past two weeks, and the police should arrest me.

“I want to go back to Adamawa so I can prepare for my wedding on March 27. If I survive this case, I will not come to Lagos State again. I will just settle down with my family in Adamawa and work on my father’s farm.”

The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who paraded Abdullahi and other suspects, said the suspects, if found culpable, would be charged to court, adding that the command would continue to ensure security of lives and property in the state.