The Cross River State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly impersonating officers of the Nigerian Navy and falsely presenting themselves as serving military personnel.
The suspects, identified as David Aleji and Francis Isaac, were apprehended following intelligence reports that they had been parading themselves as naval officers within the state.
Confirming the development, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said preliminary investigations revealed that Aleji allegedly posed as a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant while Isaac impersonated a Midshipman.
According to him, both suspects falsely claimed to be serving personnel of the Nigerian Navy in an apparent attempt to deceive members of the public.
“Findings revealed that David Aleji allegedly paraded himself as a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant while Francis Isaac impersonated a Midshipman, with both falsely claiming to be serving naval personnel,” Eitokpah said.
The police spokesperson disclosed that several military-related items were recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest, including a jungle hat and a pair of boots believed to have been used to support their false identities.
He further revealed that during interrogation, the suspects admitted that the uniforms and accessories were purchased by them, while the identification cards they used were produced by themselves.
Eitokpah added that the suspects would be arraigned in court on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation.
“The case will be charged to court tomorrow on a one-count charge of impersonation,” he said.
The police command warned members of the public against impersonating security personnel, stressing that such acts constitute serious criminal offences punishable under the law.
