Police arrests fake soldier, naval officer in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two men, a fake soldier and naval officer in two separate incidents, as part of sustained efforts to curb criminal activities in the state.

Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement on Friday said operatives arrested one Kelechi Lazarus, male, 25 years old in military camouflage.

Mohammed said the suspect who wore the camouflage uniform with the rank of corporal was arrested at Ekeki in Yenagoa as he attempted to withdraw N200,000 from a POS operator using a fake alert.

“On 13th February, 2026, at about 1500 hours, operatives attached to Ekeki Division, arrested Kelechi Lazarus ‘m’, 25 years old, dressed in military camouflage uniform with the rank of Corporal, who attempted to fraudulently withdraw the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) at Ekeki Park, Yenagoa by sending fake alert to the POS operator,” the statement said.

The fake naval officer, Osah Aliyu Umar, male 25 years old, was handed over by troops of 16 Brigade in Yenagoa on February 16.

Umar, who hails from Bauchi State but resident in Kaduna State, was arrested at the premises of the 16 Brigade Mosque and handed over to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID).

On Kelechi Lazarus, the police statement read: “Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect showed the victim a purported credit alert on his mobile phone as proof of transfer.

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“However, the victim did not receive any corresponding alert on her device and insisted on verification at her bank. Upon inquiry, the bank confirmed that no such transaction was made into her account.

“Consequently, the suspect thereafter, 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. The suspect assaulted her, inflicting bodily injuries on her.

“The POS operator immediately alerted the Police control room, from where operatives attached to Ekeki Police Division, swung into action and arrested the suspect. Upon search, illicit substances were recovered from him. Investigation further revealed that the suspect had allegedly defrauded several members of the public in different states using similar modus oprandi.”

On Umar, the police said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that, the suspect has been parading himself as a Lieutenant in the Nigeria Navy across various states. A search was conducted on him and the following exhibits were recovered: several falsified documents, Nigeria Navy name tag, wallet containing several 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 (SCID) Yenagoa. Suspect will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.”

The police said Umar was dismissed from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu in 2024

The police command has advised members of the public to be cautious of individuals parading themselves as security personnel without proper identification and that anyone with useful information should report to the nearest police station.