Fake Naval Captain Arrested As Lagos Taskforce Foils Daring Impersonation Scam At Oworonshoki

Ikeja, Lagos State– The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested three suspected impostors, including a man alleged to have posed as a senior officer of the Nigerian Navy.

The suspects were apprehended during ongoing demolition of illegal shanties and removal of encroachments on government land at Oworonshoki, a flashpoint area known for repeated clashes between illegal occupants and enforcement agencies.

Confirming the arrest, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the suspects had allegedly been parading themselves as Nigerian Navy officers, using fake uniforms and military identity to evade arrest, intimidate residents and gain undue advantage during official government operations.

According to Akerele, intelligence gathered by the Taskforce indicated that the suspects routinely appeared at enforcement sites dressed in military attire, presenting themselves as naval personnel in order to interfere with Taskforce activities and frustrate the execution of lawful directives.

Trouble reportedly escalated when the principal suspect, later identified as Mr. James K. Robert — based on the name displayed on his uniform and entries he personally made in the Taskforce visitors’ register — stormed the Taskforce headquarters to demand the immediate release of vehicles removed from the demolition site.

The vehicles were allegedly linked to a car lot he claimed to own on the affected government land.

Akerele disclosed that the suspect had persistently ignored several statutory notices and repeated appeals by the authorities to vacate the site before the commencement of the demolition exercise.

Despite these warnings, he allegedly continued operations at the location, banking on intimidation and impersonation to shield himself from enforcement.

The situation became more suspicious when the suspect arrived at the Taskforce office accompanied by his wife and a man described as his “orderly,” all dressed in a manner meant to reinforce his supposed naval status.

During the encounter, the suspect reportedly appealed for leniency, invoking what he described as “esprit de corps” among uniformed services, suggesting that his claimed military background should earn him special consideration.

However, when Taskforce officials insisted on adherence to laid-down regulations and refused to grant his request, the suspect allegedly became hostile.

Akerele said the man issued thinly veiled threats, warning of a possible confrontation between his supposed naval personnel and Taskforce operatives if his demands were not met.

He said that the suspect’s conduct raised serious red flags.

“During our interaction, he was unable to provide coherent or verifiable details about his military posting, unit, or command structure, which is highly unusual for someone claiming to be a senior naval officer.”

Further scrutiny of the suspect’s appearance reportedly exposed glaring inconsistencies.

Taskforce officials observed that his service ribbons were improperly worn, key regimental insignia were missing, and his overall presentation did not align with that of a genuine naval captain.

Acting on these suspicions, the Taskforce chairman immediately contacted the Naval Police unit for verification.

The response, Akerele said, confirmed that the individual was not a serving officer of the Nigerian Navy and had no legitimate affiliation with the service.

This confirmation led to the immediate arrest of the suspect, alongside two accomplices believed to have actively aided his impersonation scheme.

Akerele revealed that the suspects had already been under discreet surveillance following repeated confrontations with Taskforce officials during field operations at Oworonshoki.

In addition, members of the public had lodged complaints about a man regularly impersonating a naval captain to intimidate residents, traders and enforcement officers.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect’s wife reportedly admitted that she had repeatedly warned her husband against impersonating military personnel, cautioning that such actions would eventually lead to serious consequences.

The Taskforce chairman also noted that his suspicions deepened when the alleged orderly and other accomplices attempted to quietly withdraw from the scene shortly before the arrest, a move he described as “highly telling.”

“Before they fully understood what was happening, officers of the Nigerian Navy Military Police were already on ground and took them into custody,” Akerele said. “They are currently undergoing further investigation.”

He assured Lagos residents that the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate military authorities for prosecution, stressing that impersonation of security personnel is a serious offence that undermines public trust and poses a threat to law and order.

Akerele warned that the Lagos State Taskforce would not tolerate individuals who hide behind fake uniforms to commit crimes, intimidate citizens or sabotage government efforts to restore order and reclaim public land.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities through official channels, adding that Lagos State would not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminal elements masquerading as security personnel.