Man arrested for impersonating military officer in Bayelsa

Sunday, February 22 2026 - The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two individuals for allegedly impersonating military personnel. 

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Musa Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, February 20, 2026 said the suspects were in separate incidents in Yenagoa. 

According to the PPRO, operatives attached to the Ekeki Division arrested one Kelechi Lazarus, who was dressed in military camouflage with the rank of Corporal and allegedly attempted to fraudulently withdraw N200,000 from a Point of Sale operator at Ekeki Park, Yenagoa, by sending a fake bank alert.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect showed the victim a purported credit alert on his mobile phone as proof of payment.

However, the POS operator did not receive any corresponding alert and insisted on verifying the transaction at her bank which confirmed that no such transaction was made into her account.

The suspect later suggested they proceed to his base at 16 Brigade. 

The victim, who suspected foul play, declined and the suspect assaulted her, inflicting bodily injuries on her. 

"The Bayelsa State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor psc, IICFIP, foosi has recorded significant operational success in its sustained efforts to curb criminal activities across the state, in two separate operations" the statement read 

"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.

"Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect showed the victim a purported credit alert on his mobile phone as proof of transfer.

"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, in which 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 operandi.

"The Commissioner of Police promptly contacted the Military Police of 16 Brigade for verification of the suspect identity and was confirmed a dismissed soldier from 82 division, Enugu in 2024.

"The case has been transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation. Thereafter, suspect will be charge to court.

"In a related development, on 16th February, 2026, at about 1650 hours, troops of 16 Brigade, Yenagoa, arrested and handed over one suspect, Isah Aliyu Umar 'M' 25 years old, a native of Bauchi State but resident in Kaduna State to the Bayelsa State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID) Yenagoa.

"The suspect was arrested at the16 Brigade Mosque premises Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

"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 Command therefore advise members of the public to be cautious of individuals parading themselves as security personnel without proper identification.

“Anyone with useful information relating to this suspect or similar activities is advised to report to the nearest Police Station.”