Deserter, dismissed soldier, others nabbed for impersonation, assault
The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos has arrested 13 persons including a deserter soldier and dismissed personnel for impersonation.
It said the suspects were arrested in military uniform while assaulting members of the public on the pretence of being soldiers.
The suspects, who are all male, were arrested in various parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
They were paraded yesterday at the Headquarters of 81 Division in Kofo Abayomi Lagos by the Chief of Staff, 81 Division, Brigadier General Hamisu Hassan, on behalf of the General Officer Commanding Enobong Udoh.
Among those arrested were deserter suspected criminals who aid and abet the impostors by making fake military ID cards and providing them with military accoutrements used to carry out their nefarious acts.
They are, Emmanuel Anthony, Abdullahi Mubarak, Ibeh Gabriel Emeka, Olasunkanmi Olamide, Godwin Emmanuel, Private Ahmed Yahaya, Ale Ayokunle, Robert Danang, Corporal Abubakar, Private Ibrahim Isah, Monday Oga, Emeka Stephen and Bala Gabriel for crimes of varying degrees.
One of the suspects, Emmanuel Anthony, said he ran away from Maiduguri for fear of the deadly Boko Haram insurgents. “I ran away from Maiduguri in 2015. I was given pass to go and see my family. But I refused to go back after my two weeks pass expired.”
Emmanuel admitted that he was arrested earlier in 2015. “They lock me and wanted to return me to my base in Maiduguri but I refused to go. So, I ran away because I was afraid to fight Boko Haram.”
The Akwa-Ibom indigene, who said he acted out of fear for his life, is said to be producing and selling fake military forms.
According to the army, the dismissed soldier, who was a lance corporal, had also on various occasions impersonated as a lieutenant, captain and any other rank that suited his criminal activities.
The deserter added that he returned to Lagos where he bought the lieutenant rank at Napex Market at Airforce Base Ikeja to attach to his uniform. “I know where it is sold. I designed an ID to suite that rank then I showed the sellers my normal military ID,” he said.
On what he has been doing since he refused to return to his base in Maiduguri, the 28-year-old father of two, said he escorted transport vehicles or ‘tokunbo’ (used) cars for N3,000 each.