July 07, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Akwa Ibom Police Command have arrested a suspected security impersonator and recovered an assortment of police and other security uniforms, insignia and official accoutrements during a stop-and-search operation in Uyo.
The Command said the suspect, identified as Precious Joseph, an indigene of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State residing in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was intercepted on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. while riding an unregistered Top Way motorcycle along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo.
According to the Police, Joseph identified himself as a Police Inspector and presented a warrant card bearing the name “Inspector Daniel.” However, officers became suspicious after observing inconsistencies in his responses and subjected him to further scrutiny.
The search reportedly led to the recovery of an identity card belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service, raising further suspicion that the suspect had been impersonating security personnel.
Police detectives subsequently accompanied the suspect to his residence in Ikot Ekpene, where a search conducted under a warrant uncovered several security-related items, including a police beret, police buttons and insignia, Inspector rank badges, Police Mobile Force uniforms, a military camouflage sweater, a lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots and other official accoutrements believed to have been used for impersonation and other unlawful activities.
The Police said the suspect remains in custody and is undergoing interrogation to determine the source of the recovered items, establish the extent of his activities, identify possible accomplices and ascertain whether he is connected to other criminal offences within or outside Akwa Ibom State.
Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, through the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, reiterated the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and apprehending individuals who exploit the identities of security agencies to deceive members of the public or commit crimes.
The Command also warned against the unlawful possession, purchase or use of security uniforms, insignia, identity cards and other restricted items, describing such acts as serious criminal offences punishable under the law.
Police urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious individuals or anyone falsely claiming to be a security operative, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to sustaining the fight against crime across the state.
