Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old man, identified as Onipede Ojo, for allegedly stealing a police officer’s bag containing a camouflage uniform, warrant card, mobile phone, ATM card and other personal belongings, and using the items to impersonate a police officer.
The command said the suspect allegedly wore the stolen police camouflage uniform in an attempt to pass himself off as a serving officer. In a video that circulated on X, formerly Twitter, Ojo claimed he found the uniform, bearing the name tag of an inspector identified as Jimoh Weheed, along Maryland Road in Lagos.
According to the police, vigilant residents became suspicious after observing that the suspect’s behaviour and mannerisms did not match those of a genuine police officer.
Their suspicion prompted them to question him, leading to the discovery that he was allegedly impersonating a police officer.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
The Lagos State Police Command said Ojo is currently in custody and that investigations are ongoing. It added that he will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
While commending residents for their vigilance and civic responsibility, the command condemned all forms of jungle justice and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands, regardless of the offence allegedly committed.
The police stressed that the laws of Lagos State do not permit extrajudicial punishment and urged residents to hand over suspects to law enforcement agencies for proper investigation and prosecution.
The command also reiterated its appeal to residents to remain security-conscious and continue supporting the police by promptly reporting suspicious persons, movements and activities, while allowing the law to take its course.
