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 toy gun to intimidate and extort commuters and motorists in Abuja.
According to a report by Punch, 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.
The suspect was reportedly wearing a DSS tactical uniform and had a toy pistol in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Maiye allegedly used the uniform and toy weapon to intimidate commuters and motorists and extort money from them.
The suspect, who reportedly claimed to be from Agbajojun Village in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, allegedly told investigators that his late brother, identified as Monday Maiye, was a DSS operative.
According to the source, Maiye claimed that the DSS uniform and other items recovered from him belonged to his deceased brother.
“Investigators are also trying to establish how long the suspect has been involved in similar acts of impersonation and extortion,” the source said.
Maiye remains in DSS custody and is being interrogated as investigators work to establish how he obtained the Service’s uniform and other tactical equipment.
The source said the arrest underscored the DSS’s growing concern over individuals who impersonate security personnel to intimidate members of the public and engage in criminal activities.