Eight suspects, including a man who claimed to be an army officer, have been paraded by the Kogi Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC).
The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Everestus Obiyo who paraded the suspects in Lokoja on Tuesday, said that the alleged fake army officer was arrested on June 6.
Obiyo who identified the alleged fake soldier as Bartholomew Paul, said he was arrested at a military checkpoint at Ayere, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, Paul was arrested by vigilant soldiers who stopped, searched his vehicle and discovered military uniforms, two military identity cards and other incriminating items.
He said that the army later handed over the suspect to the NSCDC, adding that investigation into the matter commenced immediately.
The commandant said that the suspect had been using the uniform, identity card and other items to smuggle cars into the country through Seme border.
Obiyo listed other items recovered from him to include a black Lexus jeep; two military passports and a dependent military identity card.
He said further that the other seven suspects were arrested for vandalizing oil pipelines, electric and telecommunication cables and being in illegal possession of firearms.
The commandant said that all the suspects had made useful statements to the NSCDC.
Meanwhile, the alleged fake army officer has said that he has in the business of buying vehicles from the Benin Republic for his clients in Nigeria.
He said that the military items recovered from him were meant to evade security checks.
He, however, said that he ran out of luck on the fateful day when soldiers at the military checkpoint insisted on searching the car.
“When they searched the vehicle, they discovered where I kept the military uniform inside the booth with my fake military identity cards.
“My friend advised me to do the fake military identity cards to prevent security men from stopping me whenever I leave Nigeria to smuggle cars into the country from Cotonou,” he said.
He disclosed that a sergeant attached to 323 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Ondo State, facilitated for him, the procurement of the military items.
The NSCDC boss said that all the suspects would be charged to court very soon.
(NAN)
