Bayelsa Police Command Nabs Two Suspects Posing as Military Personnel
The Bayelsa State Police Command has successfully apprehended two individuals accused of impersonating military personnel in separate incidents within Yenagoa, the state capital. According to an official statement released on Friday, February 20, 2026, by the command's spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, these arrests mark significant operational achievements in the ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities across the state.
First Incident: Fake Corporal Attempts N200,000 Fraud
Operatives attached to the Ekeki Division arrested Kelechi Lazarus, a 25-year-old man dressed in military camouflage with the rank of Corporal. The incident occurred on February 13, 2026, at approximately 1500 hours at Ekeki Park in Yenagoa. Lazarus allegedly attempted to fraudulently withdraw N200,000 from a Point of Sale operator by sending a fake bank alert.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect showed the victim a purported credit alert on his mobile phone as proof of payment. However, the POS operator did not receive any corresponding alert on her device and insisted on verifying the transaction at her bank. The bank confirmed that no such transaction had been made into her account.
Subsequently, Lazarus persuaded the POS operator to accompany him to his bank for further clarification but later changed his mind and suggested proceeding to his base at 16 Brigade. Suspecting foul play, the victim declined, at which point the suspect assaulted her, inflicting bodily injuries. The POS operator immediately alerted the Police control room, leading to the swift arrest of Lazarus by operatives from the Ekeki Police Division.
Upon search, illicit substances were recovered from the suspect. Further investigation revealed that Lazarus had allegedly defrauded several members of the public in different states using similar methods. The Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, promptly contacted the Military Police of 16 Brigade for verification of the suspect's identity. It was confirmed that Lazarus was a dismissed soldier from the 82 Division in Enugu, discharged in 2024.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation, after which the suspect will be charged to court.
Second Incident: Naval Impostor Arrested at Brigade Mosque
In a related development, on February 16, 2026, at about 1650 hours, troops of 16 Brigade in Yenagoa arrested and handed over another suspect, Isah Aliyu Umar, to the Bayelsa State Criminal Investigation Department. Umar, a 25-year-old native of Bauchi State but resident in Kaduna State, was apprehended at the 16 Brigade Mosque premises in Yenagoa.
Preliminary investigation reveals that Umar has been parading himself as a Lieutenant in the Nigeria Navy across various states. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of several exhibits, including falsified documents, a Nigeria Navy name tag, a wallet containing multiple SIM cards, several passport photographs, one camouflage trousers, one Navy trousers, one Oppo Android phone, three National Identity Cards, one fake DNV Management System Certificate, and one fake report on ownership of Seven Million Dollars by Ganjuwa Gorond Global Enterprise.
The suspect is currently undergoing investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yenagoa and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
Police Advisory to the Public
The Bayelsa State Police Command has issued a strong advisory to members of the public, urging caution when dealing with individuals who parade themselves as security personnel without proper identification. The command emphasizes the importance of verifying credentials and reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
"Anyone with useful information relating to this suspect or similar activities is advised to report to the nearest Police Station," the statement concluded, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining security and order in the state.
