Fake Military officer nabbed in Ondo

DETECTIVES from the Ondo state police command have arrested a fake military officer, Abubakar Aliyu, who stole a vehicle on the pretence of buying it from the owner.

Aliyu who claimed to be Col. Farouk Aliyu, was said to have visited a mechanic workshop in Ondo town, where he has shown interest in buying a Toyota Jeep from the owner.

The suspect negotiated and agreed to buy the vehicle at the sum of N1.2m after checking the condition of the vehicle and offered to pay immediately

The suspect who was at the mechanic workshop to repair his Peugeot 406 saloon car with Registration Number LAGOS SMK 927 AGL however, demanded to test run the Toyota Sequia Jeep with Reg No. AGL 230 EH, and bolted away, leaving his old vehicle behind.

ALSO READ: 2019 presidency: Like Atiku, like Mimiko

The owner of the Toyota Jeep reported the incident at the police station in Ondo, after waiting several hours without the return of the fake military officer.

Police in the state swung into action and the suspect was arrested in a town, Gegu Beki in Kogi State, where the vehicle was also recovered.

Speaking on the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Femi Joseph, said the suspect who was arrested in Kogi state has confessed to the crime

Joseph said investigation is ongoing to know the owner of the vehicle he left behind at the mechanic workshop.

He said “a case of stolen vehicle was reported at Enu-Owa Division Ondo on 5th October 2018 and later transferred to Area Commander Ondo.

“It was alleged that one Abubakar Aliyu ‘m’ who claimed to be Col. Farouk Aliyu, wearing Army Camouflage T.Shirt, went to a mechanic workshop at Oka Ondo with one Peugeot 406 saloon car Reg. No.LAGOS SMK 927 AGL, Black colour for repair.

“Having seen a Toyota Sequoia Jeep with Reg No. AGL 230 EH displayed for sale in the workshop, he showed interest in buying it and negotiated the price for1.2million Naira.

“He, therefore, took the vehicle for a test run and to go and withdraw money to pay but went away with the jeep and abandoned the Peugeot 406 saloon car he brought.”

Joseph, however, said, “during investigation, he was tracked down with the vehicle at Gegu Beki in Kogi State and was arrested.

“Investigation is ongoing to locate the owner of the Peugeot 406 which is suspected to have been stolen.”