Crime
Lagos Taskforce arrests fake naval captain, two others over Oworonshoki demolition
Lagos State Taskforce has apprehended three suspected impersonators accused of posing as officers of the Nigerian Navy, including a man identified as James K. Robert, who allegedly claimed the rank of Captain, in connection with the demolition of illegal shanties and encroachments on government land in Oworonshoki, Lagos.
The Chairman of the Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this on Thursday at the agency’s Oshodi–Bolade office.
He said the suspects had been falsely presenting themselves as naval personnel to defraud residents and interfere with lawful government activities.
Akerele explained that the arrests followed the suspects’ involvement during the demolition exercise at Oworonshoki, where they allegedly deployed fake military identities to intimidate residents, obstruct enforcement efforts and gain undue advantage.
According to him, the principal suspect, Robert, whose name appeared both on his uniform name tag and in the Taskforce visitor’s register, had earlier visited the office to demand the release of vehicles removed from the demolition site by enforcement officers.
He noted that this was despite the fact that statutory notices and repeated warnings had earlier been issued to Robert to vacate the affected property before the demolition, which he allegedly ignored.
“The suspect, accompanied by his wife and an alleged orderly, claimed ownership of the car lot at the demolition site and demanded that it be spared in the spirit of esprit de corps,” Akerele said.
He added that when the request was rejected in line with professional standards and public service rules, the suspect allegedly became hostile and threatened a confrontation between his supposed men and Taskforce operatives.
Akerele said further doubts were raised after he subjected the suspect to a detailed interview and requested information about his military posting and command.
He explained that several inconsistencies were observed, including improperly worn service ribbons, missing regimental insignia and an overall appearance inconsistent with that of a senior naval officer.
He said the Taskforce immediately contacted the Naval Police Unit of the Nigerian Navy, which confirmed that the individual was not a serving officer, leading to the arrest of the suspect and his accomplices.
The Taskforce chairman disclosed that the suspects had already been under surveillance following repeated confrontations with officers during field operations, as well as complaints from members of the public about a man allegedly posing as a Navy Captain to intimidate and extort residents.
Akerele also revealed that the suspect’s wife reportedly admitted she had warned her husband on several occasions to stop impersonating military personnel, remarking that “several days are for the thief, but one day is for the owner.”
He added that his suspicions deepened when the alleged orderly and other accomplices discreetly withdrew from the scene shortly before the arrest.
“Before the suspects could fully comprehend what was happening, officers of the Nigerian Navy Military Police were already on ground and took them into custody. They are currently undergoing further investigation,” Akerele said.
He assured the public that the suspects would be prosecuted by the appropriate military authorities, stressing that the arrest would serve as a strong warning to others who impersonate security personnel to commit crimes and undermine the integrity of the Police and Armed Forces.
“I urge members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities through our official feedback channels for prompt action. No criminal will be allowed to find safe haven in Lagos State,” he added.
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Crime
PHOTOS: N10 billion Cocaine, Loud, opioids intercepted at Lagos ports as NDLEA arrests kingpins
A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.
According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
Babafemi said in the course of investigation, three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.
The NDLEA spokesperson said Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
He mentioned that a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was on Tuesday, 21st July, arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.”
NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap
In a related development, NDLEA officials seized a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.
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A man accused of stealing cables was paraded in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, 26th July, 2026 by a vigilante group at Ompadec, Amarata, while allegedly stealing electrical cables from a home.
According to residents, cable theft has become a recurring problem in the area, leaving them feeling vulnerable.
They expressed relief following his apprehension.
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