The Bayelsa State Police Command has apprehended two suspects for allegedly posing as military personnel. The announcement was made by the command's spokesperson, DSP Musa Mohammed, in a statement issued on Friday, February 20, 2026, revealing that the arrests occurred in Yenagoa in different incidents.
According to the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), officers from the Ekeki Division detained Kelechi Lazarus, who was dressed in military camouflage bearing the rank of Corporal. He reportedly tried to fraudulently withdraw the sum of N200,000 from a Point of Sale operator at Ekeki Park, Yenagoa, using a falsified bank alert.
Initial inquiries indicated that the suspect presented the victim with a fake credit alert via his mobile phone as proof of payment. However, the POS operator did not receive an equivalent alert and insisted on confirming the transaction with her bank, which verified that no transaction had been made to her account.
Afterward, the suspect proposed that they visit his base at 16 Brigade. Fearing deceit, the victim refused, at which point the suspect assaulted her, resulting in physical injuries.
"The Bayelsa State Police Command, led by CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor psc, IICFIP, foosi, has successfully conducted operations aimed at mitigating criminal activities throughout the state," the statement disclosed.
"On the 13th of February, 2026, at approximately 1500 hours, officers from Ekeki Division apprehended Kelechi Lazarus, age 25, who was clad in military camouflage and impersonating a Corporal. He had attempted to illegally withdraw N200,000 at Ekeki Park, Yenagoa, by submitting a fake alert to the POS operator.
"Preliminary findings indicate that he displayed a supposed credit alert on his phone as evidence of transfer. However, the victim did not receive a corresponding alert and insisted on confirming the transaction with her bank.
"Upon inquiry, the bank affirmed that no such transaction had occurred. Subsequently, the suspect attempted to convince the POS operator to accompany him to his bank for verification but later suggested they go to his base at 16 Brigade instead.
"When the victim refused, suspecting deceit, he assaulted her, causing her bodily harm. The POS operator promptly informed the police control room, and officers from the Ekeki Police Division responded quickly, arresting the suspect.
"During a search of the individual, illicit substances were discovered. Further investigations revealed that this suspect had allegedly defrauded numerous individuals across various states using similar tactics.
"The Commissioner of Police quickly reached out to the Military Police of 16 Brigade to verify the suspect's identity, which was confirmed as a dismissed soldier from the 82 division in Enugu as of 2024.
"The case has been forwarded to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for detailed investigation, after which the suspect will face charges in court.
"In another related incident, on 16th February 2026, at about 1650 hours, personnel from 16 Brigade, Yenagoa, apprehended Isah Aliyu Umar, a 25-year-old native of Bauchi State residing in Kaduna State. He was handed over to the Bayelsa State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yenagoa.
"The suspect was taken into custody at the mosque premises of the 16 Brigade in Yenagoa.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that he had been posing as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy across multiple states.
"A search revealed various forged documents, a Nigerian Navy name tag, a wallet with multiple SIM cards, several passport photographs, one camouflage trouser, one navy trouser, an Oppo Android phone, three National Identity Cards, a phony DNV Management System Certificate, and a false report claiming ownership of seven million dollars by Ganjuwa Gorond Global Enterprise.
"Currently, the suspect is under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Yenagoa, and he will also be charged in court following the investigation's conclusion.
"The police command advises the public to remain vigilant regarding individuals impersonating security personnel without proper identification.
"Anyone with pertinent information regarding this suspect or similar fraudulent activities is urged to report to the nearest police station.
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