A 32-year-old driver, Mohammed Abdullahi, has been arrested by operatives of X- Squad, Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly impersonating an Air Force officer.
Another man, Suleiman Abdullahi was yesterday arraigned before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating a military officer.
Abdullahi was arrested by Air Force personnel who saw him wearing the uniform and performing like an officer.
The personnel handed him over to the police.
Abdullahi, who was paraded yesterday, said he got the uniform from his friend, Haruna Ali, an army personnel, adding: “We met at Agege on January 17 and he handed the cloth to me to keep for his younger brother whom he said passed out in 2014 but has not got uniform. I am not air force personnel; I am a driver; my route is Kano to Lagos, Mile 2 to Kaduna and vice versa. I used to drive my brother’s bus but he sold it and travelled abroad for greener pasture.
“I have a family to feed; I was thinking on how to get money when I consulted Haruna and he advised me to use the air force uniform to fend for myself. I started wearing the uniform which I bought for N5,000 to be escorting vehicles from Kaduna to Lagos; they used to pay me N 3,000 for each vehicle I escort. But on February 2, some air force personnel saw me wearing the uniform and arrested me and later transferred me to police.
“I am married with three children and my wife is pregnant; she is expected to deliver this week. I love the work of air force; I have tried three times to join air force but I was disqualified on medical ground.”
Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the suspect would be charged to court and warned others engaged in such act to desist.
Abdullahi, 25 is also being tried for being in possession of a Nigerian Customs Service identification card.
Prosecutor Simon Uche said the accused committed the offence on March 3 around 10pm at Ilufe in Ojo, Lagos.
“The accused on the said date and time unlawfully paraded himself as a military officer by wearing an army camouflage T-shirt. He was also found with a duly signed Nigerian Customs Service identity card by 18 Surveillance men in Ojo,” Uche said.
The accused denied the charge and was granted N50,000 bail.
He is also to deposit N25,000 with the court’s registrar.
Magistrate Paul Adedamola adjourned till May 23.
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