The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence has arrested a fake official for allegedly using its uniform to harass, extort and defraud residents.

The NSCDC Command’s Head of Media and Tactical Operations, Edwin Okadigbo, on behalf of the state Commandant, Olatunde Maku, disclosed this on Wednesday, during a parade of the suspect at its headquarters in Akwa.

Mr Maku said operatives of the command, on routine patrol around 01:00 p.m. on Tuesday, arrested the suspect, in response to intelligence regarding the suspect’s suspicious activities around Aroma.

He said, “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 revealed that Oche, the impersonator, used his fake civil defence officer status to intimidate and exploit innocent victims.”

The state NSCDC spokesperson said the suspect confessed that he bought the uniform “from a second-hand cloth seller in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, revealing the extent of his deceitful tactics.”

He stated that the state commandant directed the Investigation and Intelligence Department to investigate and find out the source of the uniform and the motive behind the suspect’s criminal act.

Stating that the suspect would be charged to court after completion of the investigation, Mr Maku urged residents to be vigilant and discerning when approached by anyone claiming to be one of its officers.