The Lagos State Taskforce nabbed a suspected serial impostor and Okada thief who specializes in stealing bikes and impersonating Agency officials.
He is alleged to imitate them in various parts of the state, using his camouflage pants and wallet to rob unsuspecting Okada riders of their bikes and possessions.
The suspect, Elias Marcus, 33, a father of one, was apprehended at lunchtime while attempting to do his customary act of impersonating an official and taking a rider’s bike.
According to the victim, Yahaya Usman, 19, the suspect waved down a bike near Mafoluku and asked him to drive him to Oshodi’s outskirts.
On getting to the destination, the suspect asked the rider to divert to a different location where he pushed him off the bike and sped off with it.
“We got to our destination and before I knew what was happening I found myself on the ground after I had been pushed by the suspect. I knew he wanted to steal the bike. He rode off with the bike and I chased him till I caught up with him and struggled with him till officers of the Taskforce came to my rescue and arrested him.” Yahaya narrated.
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 pretence. My wife does not know I am into such a business,” he stated.
Speaking on the incident at the headquarters of The Lagos State Taskforce, The Chairman of the Agency CSP Shola Jejeloye said that he had given his officers express directives to arrest and prosecute anyone impersonating officials of the Agency and tarnishing the image of the Agency.
“We have made a series of arrest in months because the reports of fake Taskforce 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.
The suspected impostor has been charged to court accordingly, he pleaded not guilty and the case has been adjourned to 26th May 2022. He has been remanded at the Badagry Correctional Centre.
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