The Nigerian Navy has arrested two men, including a suspected fake naval officer and an alleged robbery suspect, during separate security operations at a checkpoint in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The arrests were carried out over the weekend by personnel of the Naval Outpost in Onitsha as part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities in the state.
The Commanding Officer of the Onitsha Naval Outpost, Commander Kabir Yusuf, identified the suspects as 37-year-old Brooms Anthony from Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and 36-year-old Christian Ogbole from Onoh Village in Eziagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Yusuf said Anthony was intercepted at about 2am while travelling from Lagos to Enugu in a Nissan Atlas truck loaded with household items. During a routine security check, naval personnel reportedly discovered an identity card indicating that he was a naval officer.
According to the commander, Anthony was unable to provide satisfactory evidence to establish that he was a member of the Nigerian Navy. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of impersonating a naval officer.
In a separate incident, naval personnel intercepted a Suzuki minibus allegedly being used to convey property suspected to have been stolen.
Yusuf said the operation followed a complaint from a trader whose shop had recently been burgled and several valuable items stolen.
The minibus was reportedly spotted approaching the Awkuzu checkpoint at high speed. Despite being signalled to stop, the driver allegedly failed to comply, prompting the security personnel to pursue the vehicle.
The pursuit ended with the arrest of Ogbole, while other occupants of the vehicle reportedly escaped.
Items recovered from the vehicle included six solar batteries, a rechargeable solar fan, two solar lights, a controller, a disco light and solar cable wires.
The commander said the trader later identified the recovered solar equipment as part of the property stolen from his shop, after which the items were returned to him.
Other items recovered during the operation included pry bars, three mobile phones, four car keys, 10 litres of petrol, assorted rubber slippers and a power bank.
The Navy said both suspects were subsequently handed over to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu for further investigation.
Yusuf said the arrests demonstrated the commitment of the security agencies to preventing criminals from operating freely in Anambra State.
He added that the Nigerian Navy would continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to strengthen security and protect lives and property across the state.
