Man, 34, arrested for impersonating soldier

A 34-year-old man, identified as Pascal Philip, has been arrested by troops of the 174 Battalion, 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, following his alleged impersonation of a military officer.
Our correspondent gathered that Philip, who went about parading himself as a soldier, usually intimidated residents and on several accounts had physically abused some of his neighbours.
Philip was arrested by personnel of the 174 Battalion, 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, following a tipoff by some residents on the suspicious activities of the suspect.
He was actually caught while extorting a commercial motorcycle operator.
“He is fond of assaulting people in the area,” a resident, simply identified as Mrs. Uche, told our correspondent.
“Everyone thought he was a soldier because we always see him in camouflage T-shirt and knickers. Though some of us, like me, believe if he is truly a soldier, he should not be going about intimidating people like that. So, some residents alerted the army, who monitored him and eventually caught him extorting an okada man (commercial bike operator).”
Another resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said, “That man has been harassing many people in this area. There was a night he almost beat up a trader, who he said disrespected him. We know him to be a man of trouble; so many of us have been avoiding his problems.”
One of the military officers, who arrested the suspect and preferred to remain anonymous, said, “That bloody civilian, who goes about parading himself, will be dealt with. He thinks he can just be impersonating Nigerian Army without being caught and punished. He will learn the lesson of his life.”
The suspect has since been in the custody of the 174 Battalion, 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, where he is currently undergoing interrogation.
Our correspondent gathered that he would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
When contacted, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chike Oti, said the Command had yet to be informed of the fake soldier’s arrest, adding that efforts would be made to reach the Ikorodu Division on the development.
“We have not received any information to that effect, but we will contact the division on the case and have the suspect brought to the Command for prosecution,”
he said.