In Lagos, a 26-year-old motorcycle rider named Yakubu Usman has been arrested for impersonating a police officer after a failed attempt to save his motorcycle from being seized.
Usman, is from Gworza in Borno State but resides in Lagos, was apprehended by the Alausa Division’s surveillance team, led by CSP Tokunbo Abaniwonda.
According to reports, the arrest occurred when police officers on night patrol spotted Usman near Fela’s Shrine with an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle.
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Upon being questioned, Usman claimed he was an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) assigned to the Entry and Exit Squad (E&ES) of the Lagos Police Command.
He presented a fake police identity card and wore a jacket labelled with “E&ES.”
However, after examining the identity card, officers quickly determined it was forged, complete with a falsified Assistant Inspector General of Police signature and a fictitious Force number.
During interrogation, Usman admitted to impersonating a police officer. He revealed a deep admiration for the police profession, which he said led him to take desperate measures after his previous attempts to join the Nigeria Police Force in Borno State had failed.
He explained that he had previously worked in menial jobs for police officers, assisting with errands, washing cars, and doing small tasks.
Usman shared that his ambition to join the force had been dashed twice due to health and qualification issues; he was once disqualified after being diagnosed with chronic typhoid and later told he didn’t meet other requirements.
Speaking to authorities, Usman recounted how he had only used the fake identity card once—in an effort to avoid having his motorcycle confiscated.
He explained, “I borrowed the bike from a friend and had just dropped off a passenger when I was stopped. To avoid losing the bike, I told the officers I was an ASP, hoping to prevent them from impounding it. I showed them the identity card I created for myself, but they saw through my lie and arrested me.”
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest and disclosed that Usman would face charges once investigations are concluded.
