Police arrest 22-year-old for allegedly impersonating officer in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old man, Onipede Ojo, for allegedly stealing a police officer’s bag containing official and personal items before using the materials to impersonate a serving officer.

According to the command, the stolen items included a police camouflage uniform, warrant card, mobile phone, ATM card and other personal belongings belonging to a police officer.

Police authorities alleged that the suspect wore the stolen camouflage uniform in an attempt to present himself as a legitimate officer.

In a video circulating on X, Ojo claimed he found the police uniform, which reportedly carried the name tag of an inspector identified as Jimoh Weheed, along Maryland Road in Lagos.

The police said residents became suspicious after noticing that the suspect’s conduct and appearance did not match that of a genuine police officer.

The suspicion reportedly led members of the public to question him, during which it was allegedly discovered that he was impersonating a police operative.

He was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigation.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the suspect remains in custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The command also commended residents for their vigilance and sense of civic responsibility in helping to identify the suspect.

However, the police strongly condemned all forms of jungle justice and cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands irrespective of the offence allegedly committed.

According to the command, the laws of Lagos State do not support extrajudicial punishment, urging members of the public to always hand over suspects to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation and prosecution.

The police further appealed to residents to remain security-conscious and continue to support security agencies by reporting suspicious persons, activities and movements while allowing due process to prevail.