The Bayelsa State Police Command has recorded two major arrests in separate operations targeting impersonation and financial fraud in the state.
In the first incident, police officers attached to the Ekeki Division arrested a 25-year-old man, identified as Kelechi Lazarus, on 13 February in Yenagoa.
The suspect was apprehended at Ekeki Park while allegedly attempting to fraudulently withdraw N200,000 from a point-of-sale operator using a fake bank transfer alert.
According to police, Lazarus was dressed in military camouflage bearing the rank of corporal and showed the victim a purported credit alert on his mobile phone.
When the POS operator failed to receive any corresponding notification, she insisted on verifying the transaction at her bank, where officials confirmed that no funds had been credited.
Police said the suspect later attempted to persuade the woman to accompany him to what he claimed was his military base at the 16 Brigade and when she declined, he allegedly assaulted her, inflicting injuries.
The incident was reported to the police control room, prompting a swift response that led to the suspect’s arrest.
A search reportedly uncovered illicit substances, while further inquiries suggested he had allegedly defrauded victims in other states using similar methods.
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The Commissioner of Police subsequently contacted the Military Police of 16 Brigade to verify the suspect’s identity.
Police said he was confirmed to be a dismissed soldier from the 82 Division, discharged in 2024.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, after which the suspect is expected to be charged to court.
In a related development, troops of 16 Brigade arrested another 25-year-old suspect, Isah Aliyu Umar, on 16 February and handed him over to the Bayelsa SCID in Yenagoa.
Umar, a native of Bauchi State who resides in Kaduna State, was arrested at the brigade’s mosque premises.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had been parading himself as a lieutenant in the Nigeria Navy across several states.
Police said a search led to the recovery of multiple falsified documents, a navy name tag, several SIM cards, passport photographs, military-style trousers, three National Identity Cards, and documents alleged to be fake, including a purported certificate and a report claiming ownership of seven million dollars by a private company.
Police further revealed the suspect remains under investigation at the SCID and will be charged once inquiries are concluded.
The police command has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to verify the identity of anyone presenting themselves as security personnel, advising that suspicious activity should be reported to the nearest police station.