Fake Air Force officer nabbed over extortion

Fake Air Force officer nabbed over extortion

Fake Air Force officer nabbed over extortion

By Emma Elekwa

A 36-year-old man has been arrested by the police for allegedly impersonating a retired Air Force officer and extorting the sum of N26,000 for the release of 10 scavengers arrested in Arab road, Kubwa, Abuja.

The suspect, identified only as Mustapha, was said to have promised to use his ‘position’ to free the scavengers from detention.

City News gathered that two of the scavengers were pushing their truck past a building in the area when they were sighted by one of the residents, an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The source said the officer, who suspected that they were carrying stolen items, raised an alarm which caused the scavengers to take to their heels, abandoning some of the items the were carrying.

“The officer ran after them but they regrouped and attacked him. However, they were arrested by the police who stormed the scene following a distress call by the officer,” the source said.

The source also said that the impersonator approached a relation of one of the scavengers, claiming that he was a retired Air Force officer and could use his position to secure their release from police custody.

“He actually collected the sum of N26,000 from the man but refused to show up days after,” the source added.

City News learnt that the victim later reported the case to the police which led to the arrest of the suspect at Phase 2, Site 2 area of the town.

Confirming the incident, Kubwa Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Chief Superintendent Nuruddeen Sabo, said the sum of N9,000 out of the N26,000 was recovered from the suspect. He said he would soon be charged to court for impersonation and extortion.