Police nab fake officer and seize uniforms in Akwa Ibom

The Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a fake police officer named Precious Joseph for impersonation.

A statement from the Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Tuesday said the suspect is from Nembe Local Government Area in Bayelsa State. He was caught by police officers on Sunday, 5th July 2026, around 2:30 p.m. along Atiku Abubakar Way in Uyo, the state capital.

The police spokesperson said they recovered several items from Joseph. These include a police beret, police buttons and insignia, Inspector rank badges, PMF uniforms, and a military camouflage sweater.

Other items found were a lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots, and other security items believed to be used for impersonation and illegal activities.

The statement said, “On Sunday, 5th July 2026, at about 2:30 p.m., operatives of the Command were doing a routine stop-and-search along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo. They stopped a motorcyclist riding a Top Way motorcycle without a registration number.

The rider, later identified as Precious Joseph from Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, living in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, claimed to be an Inspector of Police.

When asked for proof of his identity, he showed a Police Warrant Card with the name Inspector Daniel. His actions and answers made the officers suspicious, leading to a deeper search.

This search led to the discovery of another identity card from the Nigerian Correctional Service, raising further suspicion that he was wrongly posing as a security officer.

Joseph later took the police to his home in Ikot Ekpene, where they found the uniforms.

“In a follow-up operation, detectives went with the suspect to his house in Ikot Ekpene, where they executed a search warrant.

The search uncovered many items, including a police beret, police buttons and insignia, Inspector rank badges, PMF uniforms, a military camouflage sweater, a lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots, and other security items believed to be used for impersonation and other illegal activities.

The suspect is now in police custody and being questioned as investigators try to find out where the items came from, the full extent of his actions, any accomplices, and if he is connected to other crimes in or outside the state.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, has promised residents that the command will keep working hard to find and break down criminal networks and people who misuse the identities of security agencies to commit crimes and deceive the public.

“The Command warns the public against buying, owning, or unlawfully wearing security uniforms, insignia, identity cards, or other restricted items. Such acts are serious crimes and will attract severe penalties under the law.