Fake Lt. Col. Arrested While Negotiating with Policemen in Lagos

Adeboye Yelu 

A 27-year-old suspected fake Lieutenant Colonel identified as Adeboye Yelu, has been arrested on Tuesday 12th July, in the Ogba area of Lagos State by the State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit.

According to Punch Metro, the fake military officer was said to have been arrested while negotiating with officers of the task force over a commercial bus belonging to one Muritala, which was impounded.

It was gathered that the police and the suspect had first met Muritala and assured him that he would secure the release of the vehicle for a fee. The duo reportedly went to the task force office in Alausa, Ikeja, where Yelu was arrested after presenting fake documents to identify himself as an army officer.

According to the police, the suspect had also posed as an officer of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police Force to secure the release of vehicles impounded in different areas of Lagos State. Yelu allegedly said in his statement to the police that he posed as a military officer to extort money from motorists.

“I was on my way to Ogba, Ikeja, when I saw the impounded vehicle. I just wanted to make money from the motorist. I did not have any other intention. I am among those shortlisted for the new recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

A police source said Yelu usually negotiated through telephone calls for the release of impounded vehicles and if he succeeded, he would demand N15,000 from the vehicle owners.

“The recent case involved a vehicle belonging to one Muritala, who lives on Gowon Estate in the Egbeda area. “The suspect had a habit of impersonating military officers through telephone conversations to release impounded vehicles. He would charge a fee of N15,000 or more from the owners of the vehicles.

“It was when he was being interrogated by the task force Chairman, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, that he brought out fake documents and he was arrested,” the source said.

“I do not know him from anywhere. He just came to me and introduced himself as an army officer. I later discovered at the task force headquarters that he was an impersonator,” he said.