Police nab fake soldier for stealing iPhone 13 in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have apprehended a man identified as Kingsley Wanogho for allegedly impersonating an army officer, abducting a young man in Ikeja, and abandoning him on the Third Mainland Bridge.

In a statement released on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the RRS revealed that Wanogho made away with the victim’s iPhone 13, which he later sold for ₦150,000 at Computer Village in Ikeja.

The arrest followed an investigation triggered by the victim’s report of the incident. Authorities say Wanogho will face charges related to abduction, impersonation, and theft.

The Lagos State Command reiterated its commitment to tackling criminal activities and urged residents to remain vigilant, reporting suspicious individuals or incidents to law enforcement agencies.

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“The suspect, Kingsley Wanogho, 42, a dismissed army sergeant and ex-convict, was arrested at Ikeja Underbridge by police operatives after being spotted by one of his victims around Computer Village, Ikeja on Saturday,” the statement read.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect on 30th December 2024 accused his victim of stumbling on him. He claimed he lost a gold ring in the process and that his victim must produce the ring for him.

Wanogho, thereafter, told his victim, Solomon, that he was an army officer, displaying his identification card. It was further alleged that Wanogho told his victim that if he couldn’t produce his gold ring, he was going to take him to army barracks in Oshodi.

Investigations revealed that it was at this point that the suspect invited an accomplice on a motorcycle and hauled his victim on the bike. And, on the pretext that they were taking the victim to Army Cantonment, they drove him to Third Mainland Bridge, collected his iPhone 13 and money, and abandoned him there.

Further investigations revealed that Wanogho sold the iPhone 13 for N150,000:00 in Computer Village, Ikeja.

Investigations have also revealed that the suspect was arrested last year in Ikeja and imprisoned over a similar crime.

Recovered from him were a Nigerian Army fez cap and a Nigerian Army fake identity card.

The suspect has been transferred to CP’s Special Squad for further investigation.