Lagos task force nabs impostor, driver for biting off officer’s finger
OPERATIVES of Lagos State task force have arrested a suspected imposter, who specialises in snatching motorcycles and impersonating officials of the agency with his camouflage trousers and wallet.
The 33- year- old suspect, Elias Marcus, and father of one was arrested while trying to carry out his usual act of impersonating an official and stealing a rider’s motorcycle.
Spokesperson for the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said the suspect had flagged down a 19- year- old victim, Yahaya Usman, around Mafoluku, asking him to take him to the inner parts of Oshodi.
On getting to the destination, he said, the suspect asked the rider to divert to a different location where he pushed him off the bike and sped off with it.
The suspect confessed to being into the illicit trade of impersonating military and para- military officers because it gives him free access on the roads and also some privileges across the country.
“I’ve always wanted to be a force man, but when I could
not become one, I decided to impersonate. It gives me clearance and commands respect for me in some instances; that’s why I delved into the business of stealing under false pretence. My wife does not know I am into such business, ” the suspect confessed.
Speaking on the incident, Chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police ( CSP), Shola Jejeloye said that he had given his officers directives to arrest and prosecute anyone impersonating officials of the agency and tarnishing its image.
“We have made a series of arrests in months because the reports of fake Task Force personnel we receive is worrisome. We will carry on with this mop- up exercise till every single fake official is arrested and taken to court. This will serve as a deterrent to others who might be nursing the idea of impersonation,” Jejeloye stated.
IN a related development, Officials of the Task Force also arrested a commercial driver who bit the finger of an official of the agency during his arrest and impoundment of his vehicle for driving against traffic ( Oneway) along Oshodi- Apapa Expressway.
The 32- year- old suspect, Osinachi Ndukwe, drove against traffic from Oshodi down to Ayoni Bus stop along that route to beat traffic.
CSP Jejeloye disclosed that most motorists try to use road construction as an excuse to break the law but it is not acceptable.
He enjoined Lagosians to obey traffic rules and regulations no matter the level of construction going on, as doing so will promote orderliness and safety on Lagos roads.