Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected police impersonator and recovered several police and security-related items allegedly used for unlawful activities.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the suspect, an indigene of Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State who resides in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. during a routine stop-and-search operation along Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo.

John said the suspect was intercepted while riding a Top Way motorcycle without a registration number and identified himself as a police inspector.

“Upon request to establish his identity, the suspect produced a Police Warrant Card bearing one Inspector Daniel. His conduct and responses, however, raised reasonable suspicion among the operatives, prompting a more thorough search.

“The search led to the recovery of another official identity card belonging to the Nigerian Correctional Service, further strengthening the suspicion that the suspect was fraudulently parading himself as a security personnel,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson said the suspect subsequently led investigators to his residence in Ikot Ekpene, where a search warrant was executed.

Items recovered during the operation included a police beret, police buttons and insignia, inspector rank badges, PMF uniforms, a military camouflage sweater, a lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots, and other security-related accoutrements suspected to have been used for impersonation and other unlawful activities.

“In a follow-up operation, detectives proceeded with the suspect to his residence in Ikot Ekpene, where a search warrant was executed.

“The search resulted in the recovery of several items, including a Police beret; Police buttons and insignia; Inspector rank badges; PMF uniforms; Military camouflage sweater; Lawyer’s wig, two pairs of desert boots and other security-related accoutrements suspected to have been used in furtherance of impersonation and other unlawful activities,” the statement added.

The command said the suspect remains in police custody and is undergoing intensive interrogation to determine the source of the recovered items, identify possible accomplices, and ascertain whether he is linked to other criminal offences within or outside the state.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, assured residents that the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and individuals who exploit the identities of security agencies to commit crimes and deceive members of the public.

He also warned against the unlawful possession or use of security uniforms, insignia, identity cards, and other restricted items.

“The Command warns members of the public against purchasing, possessing, or unlawfully wearing security uniforms, insignia, identity cards, or other restricted accoutrements, as such acts constitute serious criminal offences and will attract the full weight of the law,” the commissioner said. (Channels)

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