Merchant navy man in trouble for theft, impersonation

The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos has arrested a merchant navy man for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Navy Commander and also defrauding a Nigerian in the United States.

According to the police, the 36-year-old suspect, Samuel Adekanola, was arrested for allegedly stealing five cars valued at N13m.

The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Lewi Suleiman, said the suspect was arrested following a petition from a Nigerian based in the US.

He said the petitioner alleged that he gave a clearing agent five cars to clear at Apapa Wharf, but the agent absconded.

Suleiman said the police arrested the agent who claimed that a naval commander collected the vehicles from him. The spokesman said following the agent’s statement, the police began searching for the naval commander.

He said when the so-called commander was located by the police, it was discovered that the suspect was an impersonator.

Policemen were said to have conducted a search of Adekanola’s home where incriminating items such as a Nigerian Navy uniform, an identity card of the rank of commodore and other military accoutrement were found.

The PPRO said during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was not a naval officer, but was using the uniform to deceive unsuspecting victims.

“He has committed many other crimes with the uniform,” Suleiman said.

He said the suspect would soon be charged to the court for impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.

While speaking to PUNCH Metro, the suspect said, “I am not a naval commander actually, but a Merchant Navy personnel. I wear the uniform to deceive people. On the issue of stealing, I am very sorry, but it is not as bad as the police are presenting it.

“It was a business transaction between the clearing agent and me. We used the five cars as collateral for a loan that one Alhaji promised to give us.

“However, after collecting the cars, the man refused to give us the loan and has not returned the cars.

“I feel ashamed because my family members and friends who see me as a Naval Commander will now discover that I am a fake. I won’t go back to the uniform, but I will use my HND certificate in Marine Engineering to secure a good job”