- The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest
A 25-year-old man, Bukola Olabode, has been arrested by the police in Ogun State, Nigeria, for posing as a police officer and defrauding Point of Sale (POS) operators and residents in the Ipokia Local Government Area.
According to the police, Olabode was dressed in a police camouflage uniform when he committed the crime. He allegedly made a fake transfer of N60,000 to a POS operator, Mary Midoyin, and collected the cash before fleeing the scene.
The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest, stating that Olabode was handed over to the police by residents who had grown suspicious of his activities.
“The suspect was dressed in a police camouflage shirt, cap, and jeans when he committed the crime,” Odutola said. “Upon realising his cover had been blown, he quickly made a fake transfer to Mary Midoyin, a POS operator, and collected N60,000 before fleeing the scene.”
Odutola added that Olabode, upon interrogation, confessed to defrauding POS operators in the community. Items recovered from him include a Samsung phone, a black Itel phone, a police constabulary warrant card, and a round-neck T-shirt.
The police spokesperson assured that Olabode has been detained and is currently undergoing investigation for likely prosecution.
This incident highlights the need for vigilance and verification of identities, especially when dealing with individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers. The police have urged residents to be cautious and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
In recent times, there have been reports of individuals posing as police officers to commit crimes in Nigeria. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for increased security measures and public awareness to prevent such crimes.