By Blessing Fali
The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested a man identified as Moferewa Maiye for allegedly impersonating an officer of the Service and using a fake firearm to intimidate and extort commuters and motorists in Abuja.
Maiye was arrested late Wednesday by DSS operatives at his hideout around NITEL Junction, along Adetokunbo Ademola Way, Wuse II, Abuja, following credible intelligence received by the Service.
At the time of his arrest, the suspect was allegedly wearing a DSS tactical uniform and was found with a fake pistol. A security source said he had been using the uniform and weapon to present himself as a genuine security operative while allegedly stopping and intimidating motorists and commuters and demanding money from them.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that he was from Agbajojun Village in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State. He allegedly claimed that his late brother, identified as Monday Maiye, was a DSS operative who died several years ago.
According to the source, Maiye claimed that the DSS uniform and other items recovered from him belonged to his late brother. Investigators are, however, working to establish how he obtained the Service’s uniform and tactical equipment and whether other people were involved in the alleged scheme.
The DSS is also investigating how long the suspect had allegedly been impersonating its personnel and whether he had committed similar acts of extortion or intimidation before his arrest.
The development has raised further concerns over the activities of individuals who impersonate security and law enforcement personnel to intimidate members of the public, gain access to restricted areas or commit other crimes.
The suspect remains in DSS custody and is being interrogated as investigations continue. The Service is expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case before determining the next legal steps.
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