Lagos Police Nab Fake Army Officer in Ikorodu After ₦2.4m Contract Scam, Bust Job-Hunting Syndicate

The “Center of Excellence” just became a lot less hospitable for impersonators. In a decisive move to maintain the “State of Harmony” in Lagos, police operatives have arrested 28-year-old Sunday Adeyemi, a man who successfully posed as a high-ranking military officer to swindle unsuspecting residents.

Adeyemi’s run came to a crashing halt on Monday in Ikorodu, where he was found decked out in full military regalia, allegedly playing the role of a “Major” to facilitate a ₦2.4 million fraud. According to the Lagos State Police Command, the suspect used his camouflage and a stern military bearing to convince a businessman that he could secure a lucrative military procurement contract. Once the money hit the account, the “Major” disappeared until the law caught up with him.

The investigation didn’t stop at the uniform. The police also paraded three accomplices who functioned as the “recruitment arm” of the operation. This syndicate reportedly specialized in selling fake dreams, promising desperate job seekers placements in the Customs and Immigration services for a “processing fee.” Adeyemi would often appear at these meetings in uniform to provide a lethal dose of false credibility to the scam.

“It is a classic case of using the prestige of the Nigerian Army to commit daylight robbery,” said SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police PRO. “We recovered forged ID cards and fake appointment letters that looked incredibly real to the untrained eye. This arrest is a signal that Lagos will not be a safe haven for those who hide behind a stolen uniform to exploit the vulnerable.”

As the suspects prepare for their day in court, the police have urged residents to verify the identity of any security official involved in financial dealings. For Sunday Adeyemi and his crew, the only uniform they are likely to wear for the foreseeable future is the one provided by the Nigerian Correctional Service.