A 55-year-old suspect impersonating a Civil Defence officer to deceive, extort and commit fraudulent activities on unsuspecting citizens in Anambra State, has been apprehended.
The State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, Commandant Maku Olatunde cautioned members of the public to be vigilant and exercise discernment when approached by anyone claiming to be a Civil Defence officer.
Comdt. Maku stated this on Wednesday, October 16 2024 at the State Command Headquarters Awka through Superintendent of Corps, Edwin Okadigbo, the command’s head of media and tactical Ops, while parading the suspect.
Giving a vivid account of how the suspect was arrested, Maku said;
“On Tuesday October 15, 2024 at about 1300hrs , operatives of the command on routine patrol responded to intelligence regarding the suspect’s suspicious activities around Aroma in Awka.
Acting on this information, the team swung into action and apprehended the suspect; Emmanuel Oche , male, aged 55 from Agila Town in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State dressed in an NSCDC uniform”
Preliminary investigation reveals that Emmanuel Oche, the impersonator, used his fake Civil Defence officer status to intimidate and exploit innocent victims.
When interrogated, Oche shockingly confessed to buying the NSCDC uniform from a second-hand cloth seller in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, revealing the extent of his deceitful tactics.
Consequently, the State Commandant has ordered the Investigation and Intelligence Department to conduct a discreet investigation to unravel the source of the uniform in addition to the motive behind the suspect’s impersonation of a Civil Defence officer.
Comdt. Maku further noted that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
