Fake army captain arrested after harassing officials over seized motorcycle

isaac dachen

May 4, 2016 2:22 PM

A man who has been parading himself as an Army Captain to extort money from people has been arrested in Lagos.

The fake Captain George Edem

A man who has been parading himself as a Captain in the Nigeria Army for eight years, George Edem, has been finally arrested after he stormed the office of the Lagos State Task force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit in Alausa, Ikeja, and harassed the officials over an impounded commercial motorcycle belonging to an Okada man.

Also Read: "Got You: Army impersonator arrested after several years"

According to reports, Edem had walked into the office Task force on Tuesday, May 3, where he allegedly harassed the officials including the policemen on duty and demanded to see the Task force chairman, Yinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police.

When he taken to Egbeyemi, Edem reportedly produced an identity card bearing the insignia of a Captain but after serious scrutiny by Egbeyemi, it was discovered that the ID card was fake.

When he was questioned where he was serving, he said he resided at Intelligent Quarters, Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo, but attached to the Ikeja Cantonment, a claim that was found to be lies and was promptly arrested.

Confessing to his crimes, Edem said it was poverty that pushed him into impersonation.

“I have been in this business for eight years. I collect money from people who have cases with the police and customs officials. I have also been to some Divisional Police Officers in Lagos. I came for the release of an impounded tricycle in the task force office.”

A police officer attached to the Task force said:

"The fake army captain harassed both policemen and paramilitary officers at the task force office. He demanded to see the chairman as a matter of urgency.

Nobody suspected him. He was eventually ushered in to see the chairman. It was while he was being questioned that he was found to be an engineer and not a military officer.”

Also Read: "BUSTED!: Fake Female Soldier Arrested In Ondo"

The Public Affairs Officer of the Task force, Adebayo Taofiq, also confirmed the arrest of Edem.

“The suspect came for the release of a motorcycle with chassis No MD2A18AZ3FMWSX, that was impounded after contravening the state traffic law in the Oshodi area. The suspect has a fake identity card of the Nigerian Army.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, has been briefed about the matter and he directed that Edem be charged to court.”

isaac dachen