Residents of Anambra State have been cautioned to be vigilant and exercise discernment when approached by anyone claiming to be a Civil Defence officer.
The State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Maku Olatunde made the call at the State Command Headquarters Awka through Superintendent of Corps, Edwin Okadigbo, the command’s head of media and tactical Ops while parading a fake Civil Defence officer.
It was gathered that the suspect, Emmanuel Oche, male, aged 55, from Agila Town in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, has been deceiving and extorting citizens while perpetrating other fraudulent activities.
Addressing newsmen, Commandant Maku said the suspect was arrested following credible intelligence given to the command from the public.
He revealed that the suspect has confessed to the crime and investigation is ongoing after which he will be charged in court.
Giving a vivid account of how the suspect was arrested, Maku said “On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at about 1300hrs, operatives of the command on routine patrol responded to intelligence regarding the suspect’s suspicious activities around Aroma in Awka.
“Acting on this information, the team swung into action and apprehended the suspect; Emmanuel Oche, male, aged 55 from Agila Town in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State dressed in an NSCDC uniform.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that Emmanuel Oche, the impersonator, used his fake Civil Defence officer status to intimidate and exploit innocent victims.
“Shockingly, Oche confessed to buying the NSCDC uniform from a second-hand cloth seller in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, revealing the extent of his deceitful tactics.”
Maku said he had ordered the Investigation and Intelligence Department to conduct a discreet investigation to unravel the source of the uniform in addition to the motive behind the suspect’s impersonation of a Civil Defence officer.
Comdt. Maku further noted that the suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
