Lagos police arrest 22-year-old for impersonating officer with stolen uniform

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old suspect, identified as Onipede Ojo, for allegedly stealing a police officer’s bag containing a camouflage uniform, warrant card, mobile phone, ATM card and other personal belongings, and using the items to impersonate a police officer.

The command said the suspect allegedly wore the stolen camouflage uniform in an attempt to pass himself off as a serving officer.

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

According to the police, residents became suspicious after observing inconsistencies in the suspect’s behaviour and mannerisms, which reportedly did not align with those of a genuine officer.

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

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

The command confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Commending residents for their vigilance, the police also condemned any form of jungle justice and warned against taking the law into one’s hands, regardless of the alleged offence.

It stressed that Lagos State laws do not permit extrajudicial punishment and urged residents to always hand suspects over to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation and prosecution.

The command further advised the public to remain security-conscious and continue reporting suspicious persons and activities promptly.