Law enforcement apprehends impersonator, seizes counterfeit police attire in Akwa Ibom

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Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a fake police Inspector identified as Precious Joseph over alleged impersonation.

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A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Tuesday said the suspect, who hailed from Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, was arrested by officers of the command on Sunday, 5th July 2026, at about 2:30 p.m along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, the state capital

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According to the police spokesperson, items recovered from the suspect include a Police beret, Police buttons and insignia, Inspector rank badges, PMF uniforms and a military camouflage sweater.

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Others include a Lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots, and security-related accoutrements suspected of having been used for impersonation and other unlawful activities.

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The statement reads in parts, “On Sunday, 5th July 2026, at about 2:30 p.m., operatives of the Command, while conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo, intercepted a motorcyclist riding a Top Way motorcycle without a registration number.

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“The rider, later identified as Precious Joseph, an indigene of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State who resides in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, introduced himself as an Inspector of Police.

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“Upon request to establish his identity, the suspect produced a Police Warrant Card bearing one Inspector Daniel. His conduct and responses, however, raised reasonable suspicion among the operatives, prompting a more thorough search.

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“The search led to the recovery of another official identity card belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service, further strengthening the suspicion that the suspect was fraudulently parading himself as a security personnel.”

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Joseph disclosed that the suspect led the police team to his house in Ikot Ekpene, where the uniforms were recovered.

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“In a follow-up operation, detectives proceeded with the suspect to his residence in Ikot Ekpene, where a search warrant was executed.

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“The search resulted in the recovery of several items, including a Police beret; Police buttons and insignia; Inspector rank badges; PMF uniforms; Military camouflage sweater; Lawyer’s wig, 2 pairs of desert boots and other security-related accoutrements suspected to have been used in furtherance of impersonation and other unlawful activities.

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“The suspect is currently in Police custody and is undergoing intensive interrogation as investigators work to determine the source of the recovered items, establish the full extent of his activities, identify possible accomplices, and ascertain whether he is linked to other criminal offences within or outside the state.”

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Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, has assured residents that the command would continue to remain resolute in its commitment to identify and dismantle criminal networks and individuals who exploit the identities of security agencies to perpetrate crimes, deceive unsuspecting members of the public and bring the image of the nation’s security institutions into disrepute.

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“The Command warns members of the public against purchasing, possessing, or unlawfully wearing security uniforms, insignia, identity cards, or other restricted accoutrements as such acts constitute serious criminal offences and will attract the full weight of the law.”

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