Rivers: Nigerian Army arrests fake soldier inside bank

• Army hierarchy says suspect arrest followed an intelligence report
• Suspect in possession of fake military identification card

One Desmond Okeh has been apprehended for posing as a Lance Corporal in the Army.

Okeh, an indigene of Anambra State, was arrested by the Nigeria Army at a bank in Port Harcourt.

The Spokesman of Nigeria Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Lt.-Col. Ikedichi Iweha made this known while parading the fake soldier before newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Okeh’s arrest followed an intelligence report about is activities at a new generation bank located in the Government Reserve Area of the city, Iweha disclosed.

He said, “Desmond Okeh was arrested on July 6 at a new generation bank fully dressed in the number six military camouflage and in possession of a fake military identification card.

“The suspect was wearing the rank of Lance Corporal in Army camouflage with a fake duty number: 16N/75/2038 on his forged military identification card.

“The suspected impostor also had in his possession a fake pass leaflet at the time of his arrest.”

Iweha also urged members of the public to be wary of the antics of criminals who present themselves as military officers to swindle them of their hard-earned money and property.

Cases of persons parading themselves as soldiers have become a scourge in Nigeria.

In March, two fake soldiers, Mike Okon, 27, and Wilson Sunday, 24, were arrested by the police for allegedly planning to unleash mayhem in Delta State.

Army camouflage uniform and a pair of black jungle boots were recovered from Okon, while three green berets and a black beret were also recovered from Wilson Sunday during a search of their hideout.

In December 2022, a 65-year-old man named Jeremiah Joseph was arrested and detained by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly impersonating an army officer and cheating a man out of N120,000 in Ipaja.