Police arrest fake ex-soldier while buying pistols

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested a suspected fake ex-soldier, Benjamin Ifada, who allegedly contacted a police division to buy two pistols for the sum of N300,000.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 54-year-old Ifada was first apprehended by the Idimu Police Division, from where the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, ordered that his case be transferred to the SARS where he was being investigated by the operatives.

Our correspondent further learnt that Ifada had been using the appellation, Captain Benjamin Ifada (retd.), and claimed to be with the British Army Regiment Home Office before his arrest.

The police said the suspected fake soldier usually visited the Idimu Police Division, and tried to gain recognition as a retired military officer.

However, it was gathered that Ifada allegedly approached the armourer in the division, and said he needed to buy some AK-47 rifles. The divisional armourer was said to have declined the request. After two months, the fake ex-soldier was said to have shown up again at the division requesting to purchase pistols.

It was gathered that the armourer alerted the DPO, and the DPO in turn took up Ifada’s case to the CP. The suspect had further allegedly sent a text to the armourer, requesting how much he would pay to purchase the pistols.

To catch him red-handed, it was learnt that the armourer played along and charged N150,000 for one pistol.

Ifada was said to have proceeded to the division, where he selected a revolver and a berretta pistols in the armoury. He was subsequently arrested.

It was gathered that immediately the suspect was arrested, a search was also conducted in his house on Idowu Alimo Street, Idimu Road, where the police recovered items such as a walkie-talkie, a N300,000 cheque in his favour and a full military uniform.

Ifada, however, told the police that he was sent by a friend, one Kalu, with the cheque to buy the pistols. Our correspondent learnt that efforts were ongoing to get the said Kalu.

Ifada explained that he had lied to the Idimu DPO that he was a retired captain and had made an Identity Card for such to be able to purchase the ammunition.

He said, “I am into security equipment. I made the ID card for myself to ease my movement within security circle. I had told the DPO that I was a retired captain, because I loved to be a captain. I have never used the ID card to do anything negative..

“I met Kalu while passing through the Gowon Estate. When I inquired, I was told that Kalu was building a hotel in the area. So, I met the man to do business with him. I told him I was into electric fencing and could also install security cameras. He said he would take me to his house in Lekki. He also asked if I was a Christian, and I said yes. He signed a cheque of N50,000 saying he was sowing a seed for me.”