I sew Nigerian Navy uniform because I wanted to enlist into the military – Impersonator

• He robbed me with the uniform – victim

By OKOSUN DENNIS

The Nigerian Police, Zone 2 Command on Tuesday paraded three civilians who used Nigerian Navy and Army uniforms to rob motorists in Lagos.

A tailor who sews the Navy uniform for them was also arrested with several other uniforms purportedly given to him by one of the suspects, Chukwueke Kingsley.

Chukwueke, a 26 years commercial motorcycle rider, who ply Mile 2 and CMS roads and hailed from Imo state, said he has made several attempts to enlist into any of the military arm since 2006 till date but was not successful, hence he has to sew the uniform so that anytime he succeeded, he would have had a pair of uniform to start off.

Arrested with him was another impersonator, Chidi Ibrahim, who adorned army combat dress. As at the time of address, he was said to be wearing army thick shirt and short Neckar. Their tailor, Alaba Akoni, who sewed the dress was also paraded.

However, the Zonal Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Dolapo Badmus said police investigation revealed that the suspects were robbers who were wore navy uniform to rob the victim of his belongings before police patrol swooped on them.

She said one of them was wearing Nigerian Navy uniform and had an Identity card on him. She disclosed that they actually used the uniform to rob.

“They were apprehended in the process of trying to rob a man while wearing naval uniform. They double-crossed the victim and dispossessed him of this valuables. We were able to arrest the tailor who sewed the uniform for them and they will be charged to court at the end of our investigation,” SP Badmus added.

Speaking with one of the suspects, Chukwueke disclosed that he bought the uniform and beret in Badagry market but other accoutrements were given to him by a deceased naval rating identified as Marcus Mighty.

Adducing reasons for sewing the uniform, he added that “When I succeed in enlisting into the Nigerian Navy, I would have had uniform to start off with. I love the navy job. I have tried to enlist into the army, navy, Airforce and even the police, I have not succeeded.”

He denied he did not rob the victim but added that instead, the victim drew his attention to assist  him recover his car key from someone he had collided with and promised to pay him N3,000

“After helping him recover his key, he refused to pay claiming he had only N1,000 on him. We started arguing and he asked me to search his pocket if he had another money. In the process of searching him, the police car and he shouted thief! Thief!! and we were arrested.

“I made a mistake to have searched him and he started shouting when he saw the policemen. It was about 11pm in the night. Chidi was not involved. He saw me with the man and he stopped.

Asked how he got the navy crest, the Mission Express at Tolu Secondary School graduate said he got the navy uniform in 2016, claiming the crest was given to him by one late Marcus Mighty, whom he said was a former naval rating.

“He gave me the crest because I told him I wanted to buy a beret.

However, narrating his ordeals, the victims of their robbery, one Paschal Ume Okafor, a tyre dealer told National Daily that the suspects used motorbike to block him while in traffic along Ijora bridge before dispossessing him of his two phones, N7,000 and collected his 2005 Toyota Corolla car key.

He pointed out that the prompt intervention of some policemen who were on patrol led to his rescue and eventually apprehended the criminals.

Paschal further explained that, “On the 6th May, 2017, on my way home from work, the two guys, one wearing Nigerian Navy uniform used their bike to double-crossed me at Ijora bridge about 11pm.

“They collected my phones, my N7,000 and my car key and searched my pockets if I had more money. Just as they were about to escape with my car, a police patrol saw us and pullover to know what was happening and later arrested them.

“It was like they used charms on me because I was not behaving well. When they asked me what was happening, instead of telling the police they were robbers, I told them they were my friends.

“Already, they were with my Toyota Corolla car key. It was after I narrated to the police that they requested to know from the criminals who they were. Chukwueke told the police he was a naval officer and pulled out his identity card and showed them.

“From the ID card, they realised they were fake military men and arrested them.

Paschal added that they were robbers against what they told the police they were not. He said despite they weren’t carrying gun, he couldn’t escape because they blocked him in the most professional manner that hitting them was difficult since he was caught in traffic snarl up.

Explaining his involvement, the suspect Chukwueke Kingsley, admitted he was caught with navy. Uniform in his bag but was not using to commit crime as alleged by the victim.

He denied being a robber and did not use the uniform to rob anybody but kept it in his bag. He pointed out that his love and desire to serve his nation as a military man led him into sewing the uniform.

But when the camouflage coloured bag was opened, it was parked full with different kinds of naval uniform including beret with crest, the outlawed navy camouflage face cap, waist belt, blue rig dress, army camouflage dress and other military accoutrements.

The tailor, Akoni, 20 years old, who resides at No 103 Mosafejor Iyatuwo bus stop, Alaba Road, Ajegunle Apapa explained that he did not know that the suspect was not a naval officer before sewing the uniform for him.

He explained he was arrested after police came to his house and took away his sister when they couldn’t find him.

“I reported to the police station and they asked if I knew the navy man. I told them that he gave me some uniform to sew for him after he had shown me his identity card.  The uniform was sewed in November 2016. The other uniforms belong to his friend who also showed me his identity card because I always asked them to be sure whom I am dealing with.

He added that other uniform found in his house was brought to him to repair by the victim at an agreed price. He pointed out that he was only doing his job as a tailor.